Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-04
REPORTS DECREASE
IN RABIES IN u. S.
Surgeon General of Public
Health Service Finds
Cases Fewer.

Cases of hydrophobia. or rabies, in
the United States in recent years nave
shown q marked decrease, according to
Surgeon General Cumming of the
Public Health Service, This decrease
represents the number of deaths result
ing from bites from mad animals and
also the number of animals affected.
There also has been a steady decline In
the number of cases reported since the
beginning of this year.
There are many general opinions
about mad dogs that are erroneous, ana
IN some of these opinions. superstition
is the basis, DR. Cumming pointed out,
particularly that mad dogs are preva-
lent only in Summer. There are in
reality as many in December as in Au-
gust, he said. Mad dogs do not neces-
sarily run wild or froth at the mouth,
as commonly supposed, he said.
s Hydrophobia is peculiar disease, the
surgeon general said, and 1t is OF UNI
usual interest because of the great
length of time which elapses after the
bite of the dog or other rabid animal
before any disturbances are noted In
The victim 1t is also interesting be-
cause of the terrifying and violent
symptoms which characterize 1t, the ex-
tren1e suffering that it causes. and be-
cause once the disease has developed
It practically always terminates fatally,
At least in so far as human beings are
Concerned, he said. Some observers
claim an occasional recovery In animals,
But so far apparently no one has ever
Recorded recovery in man. he added.
: The origin of rabies goes back before
the Christian era, DR.. Cumming de-
clared and mention of its is found IN
the works of the ancient Greek and
Roman writer's of that time. Not only
dogs. but practically all FLOODED
animals are susceptible to rabies. some
much more than others, 1t was ex-
planned, but dogs constitute the great
danger to human beings.
Il; There are two types OF the disease,
the furious type and the mute type, 1t
was shown, and these types may alter
nate in the same animal, or at least
the dog may be quiet at one stage OF
the disease and furious at another. the
dog NAV be moroSe and Sullen, or UNI
usually playful and affectionate, 1t was
disclosed, but this stage quickly passes
into one of excitability and the DOG may
run wild for day or two. and bite any
number of persons and animals WIFI
out the owner ever knowing II.
4 During the period from February to
June of this year the number Of cases
of rabies reported by State health ON
Ger to the Public Health Service was
6i9 compared with ITO for the same
period of last year, it was said, while In
1929 the number of deaths from rabies
was rs and for the preceding two years
Sc was 80 and los, respectively.
h All bites from animals that are mad
ehould be cauterized, preferably with
pure nitric acid by physician, II pos
sible, it was said. The Pasteur treat:
innent should always be given 80 soon as
possible, it was advised, If the animal
is known to be suffering with rabies.
4 Rabies is caused by living germ,
without doubt, but it is more diff1cult TO
Drove than in most other germ diseases,
IL was said. The germ is conveyed In
the saliva of the rabid animal, at the
time that the victim Is bitten, or 1t
may be conveyed in the saliva from the
tongue, by the licking OF hand on
which there is a wound, even though 1t
Is only a pin scratch. Rabies Is very
prevalent in the United States, DR..
Cumming said.