Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-08-09
PASTEUR CASES
SHOW DECREASE
DURING JULY

For the first time in several
months records of the State Depart
ment of Health, for July, show a de-
crease in the number of persons who
were given the Pasteur treatment as
a percentage against rabies-hy-
drophobia, to use the more familiar
name-following injuries by dogs or
other animals believed to be rabid. The
total number of persons treated In
July was Is, as compared to a total
of 80 in June, 80 in May, "a in April
and Is in March. There were many
others who applied for treatment after
having been injured by animals that
were vicious or were acting suspicious
ly, but that were found to be normal
after they had been kept under obser-
walton, the required length of time.
Treatment accordingly was unneces-
sary.
The decrease in the number of per-
sons requiring treatment is attributed
by DIR. C. w. G. Rohrer, Chief of the
Pasteur Division of the State Depart
ment of Health, to the promptness
with which veterinarians in Baltimore
City and in the counties, and the So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, cooperate with the De-
partment in investigating and deter
mining the actual condition of the
animals by which the injuries have
been inflicted. ''The symptoms of
rabies can usually be readily recogniz-
ed" DR.. Rohrer said, "by an exper-
fenced veterinarian. If the animal is
not rabid, it is not necessary for the
treatments to be given. If the animal
is rabid or there is any doubt, what
ever, about it's condition, the treat
ments should be started promptly and
continued daily until the full course
of IA is completed. The disease is
fatal if allowed to develop. There is
absolutely no cure for it. The only
way to prevent its development in
human beings is by the prompt cauter-
ization of the injury and the prompt
administration of the Pasteur treat
ment.
During the first six months of the
current year, 121 persons who had
been injured by animals believed to be
rabid were given the protective treat
ment against rabies. There were
practically four times as many addi-
tional applicants to be exact
who did not have to be treated, but
who had been injured by animals,
many of them strays, that were sick
or vicious, but not mad.
"Stray dogs are always sources of
danger. AS a result of recent hap
pening in Prince Georges County,
when a dog that had been brought
into the county from another State,
a short time before, developed rabies,
ran amuck. injured several persons
and bit number of dogs, the State
veterinarian declared quarantine
against all dogs in that section of the
State. The regulation remains in force
until October. AS a precautionary
measure, l wish that similar action
could be taken in every part of the
State whenever a rabid dog is discov-
cred.
Cali dogs that are acting suspic-
iously are not necessarily rabid. When
a dog bites someone or acts in a man.
ner which leads you to think it may
have rabies DO NOT KILL THE DOG
if this can be safely avoided. A lab
oratory examination of a dogs head
for rabies is not reliable if the dog
is killed TOO EARLY in the disease.
Securely tie or cage the dog so that
it cannot harm anyone. Provide it
with food and water and observe its
actions.
Notify a veterinarian or your
Health Officer AT ONCE! If the dog
has rabies it will die, in most in
stances, in a weeks time. Every dog
that acts in an unusual manner should
be securely confined and kept under
observation for 10 days, whether or
not you suspect rabies. DON'T TAKE
CHANCES! !"