140 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OS. Doc. 



however, only in case of persons having been exposed, or upon a 

 request being made that diagnostic inoculations be carried out. It 

 should be emphasized that while the presence of true Negri bodies 

 is conclusive evidence of rabies, the fact tliat they are not found does 

 not in itself eliminate the possibility of the presence of this disease. 



In cases where microscopical examinations have proven negative 

 and where we have a fairly good clinical history of rabies, we do 

 not advise persons who Lave been bitten by a rabid "animal to defer 

 treatment until the results of diagnostic inoculation have been de- 

 termined. Such persons are referred to their family physician for 

 treatment and advice. 



It has been observed for some time that when examining sections 

 of brain tissue and the systematic and plexiform ganglia from an 

 animal dead of rabies that there was a marked increase in the num- 

 ber of endothelial cells. In order to determine what percentage of 

 the cases reported as positive to this disease following the finding of 

 Negri bodies and showing endothelial cell proliferation, an experi- 

 mental study of all such sections was begun. Several hundred cases 

 have been examined. The results show a remarkable similarity, and 

 we are convinced this is a valuable aid in diagnosing the disease, 

 and the percentage of errors if this method alone was followed by 

 an experienced investigator, would be verj^ small. Realizing that the 

 value of investigations of this kind depends largely upon the num- 

 ber of specimens examined, Ave shall continue to work on animals 

 known to have died of rabies and also of those that have succumbed 

 to some other disease. We trust the work may prove of scientific 

 value. 



When a positive case of rabies has been observed in a community 

 one of the regular agents is sent immediately to make an investiga- 

 tion. All dogs known or suspected of having been bitten by the 

 rabid animal within two weeks of his death are destroyed or placed 

 in absolute quarantine for a period of 100 days. If a number of 

 cases of rabies develop in the same locality within a short time a 

 general quarantine is placed on the territory by the Board. This is 

 seldom done unless the Board of Health or several representative 

 citizens petition the Board for such a quarantine. Quarantine no- 

 tices are then posted throughout the territory. The notice is also 

 published in a local paper circulating within the territory. All 

 dog owners are warned that their dogs must be confined. Those 

 found roaming at large not properly muzzled may be destroyed by 

 anybody. An agent of the Board is provided to see that the terms of 

 the quarantine are observed. He is authorized and ordered to shoot 

 all dogs that are found violating the quarantine. Such a general 

 quarantine is usually in force for 100 days. No dogs are allowed 

 to leave a quarantine area unless a permit is issued by the Board. 

 Where valuable animals have been bitten by a rabid animal the 

 Pasteur treatment may be given. This treatment is rather expensive 

 and must be paid for by the owner. The results are not always good 

 and this course should not be followed except in rare cases. When 

 this plan of treatment is decided upon the animal must be kept care- 

 fully and securely quarantined and the treatment should begin as 

 soon as possible after the bite. 



The following table gives the detailed information regarding rabies 

 during the two years: 



