Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-11-30
WARNINGS GIVEN
ABOUT DISEASE
"TULAREMIA''

Since Br'er Rabbit-not healthy
Br'er Rabbit. but diseased one-has
been recognized as the source of the
disease which humans contract In
handling infected animals, and which
is known as Tularemia or Rabbit
Fever, warnings are issued as soon
as the hunting season opens, to hunt
ers, market men, foodhandlers, house
keepers, cooks, and any other who
handle game or who prepare it for
the table, to take certain simple pre-
cautions. Here they are, as outlined
by DIR. R. H. Riley, Director of the
State Department of Health:
"Be sure you bag only healthy ami
mails, when you go cunning for rab-
bits. The animal that seems dazed
or stupid is likely to be sick one
infected with the germs that cause
rabbit fever. Avoid that kind.
"Don't handle the game with bare
hands, when preparing the meat for
the market or the table. The infection
may be picked up from the fur as well
as from the organs or flesh of the
animal.
eff it is impossible to use gloves,
wash the hands thoroughly with soap
and water Immediately after handling
a rabbit.
"Do not allow any open cut or
scratch to come in contact with the
rabbits. Keep your hands away from
your face and eyes when handling
rabbits.
Burn the paper or other wrappings
that have been in contact with the
game.
"Cooks rabbit meat thoroughly"
The first case of rabbit fever in
Maryland during the current season
was reported to the State Department
of Health few days ago. Since 1928
when the disease was first made re-
portable, 126 cases have been noted
in the state. Of the total, 60 occur
red in the counties and So in Balti-
more City. There have been 13
deaths, 6 in Baltimore City and II
in the counties. The majority of the
cases have occurred in the late fall
or the early winter, during the hunt
ing season. A few have been report
ed at other times.
Speaking of the disease as seas
onal one, DIR. Riley said it could be
contracted through handling or skin
ming infected animals; through pre-
pairing the infected meat for cooking
OF for other use; through the bite of
infected ticks-which spread the di-
sease from animal to animal-and ev-
en- through crushing the infected ticks
in the hands. The infectious material
can be absorbed through a mere
scratch or break in the skin.
"The disease usually STARTS" DR..
Riley said, with symptoms that re-
semble grippe or influenza. 1t has
often been mistaken for typhoid fever.
In many cases, an ulcer develops at
the site of the infection. Whatever
form it takes, means long, serious
illness. The family doctor should be
sent for without delay whenever symp-
toms develop that suggest rabbit few
err. To assist in the diagnosis of the
disease, blood tests for the presence
of the infection will be made by the
State Meteorological Laboratories, at
the request of the attending physic-
ians. for any case in the counties.
"The infection is found principally
in wild rabbits. Rabbits raised in
rabbitries are usually free from ticks
which carry the infectbn-and so
far, the disease has not been due to
domestic rabbits. Thorough cooking
destroys the germs that cause the d.
sease. Thoroughly cooked rabbit
meat is harmless"