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An editorial in the "New York Medical Record" for June, 

 1906, says: — 



No one who has witnessed the enthusiasm with which children caress 

 their pets can fail to realize the magnificent opportunity for infection offered 

 in this. The doctor must in the interest of public health, see to it that no 

 cat is allowed to enter a sick room. 



The evidence at hand shows that cats have been accused or 

 suspected of transmitting more than a score of infections to man 

 or domestic animals. The diseases named range from scarlet 

 fever, smallpox and bubonic plague to whooping cough, mumps 

 and foot-and-mouth disease. Science already has acquitted the 

 cat in some cases, and future investigation may either confirm 

 or deny other allegations. There are some infections, however, 

 regarding which the evidence seems conclusive. 



Parasitic Diseases. 



Cats are notoriously subject to a parasitic skin disease com- 

 monly known as ringworm, which is not uncommonly communi- 

 cated to persons. Dr. James C. White of Boston asserts that 

 he has known of many cases of ringworm carried to persons by 

 cats. Dr. John B. May refers to an epidemic of ringworm in 

 Waban, caused by a cat. Many others cases might be cited. 



Cats may have external and internal parasites, some of which 

 are or may be transmissible to man, of which space will not 

 allow the enumeration here. Sand fleas, cat fleas, dog fleas, 

 rat fleas or human fleas may be carried by cats. Those who care 

 to know more of the internal and external parasites which cats 

 may disseminate are referred to Dr. Osborne's papers herein- 

 before cited, and the bibliography appended thereto. 



Infections from Cats' Claws and Teeth. 



Many painful and sometimes dangerous or even fatal inflictions 

 are recorded as arising from the teeth or claws of cats, which 

 they use freely against their human friends or enemies on the 

 least provocation. 



Tetanus or Lockj.\w. 



There is no more fatal or awful disease than this. Unless 

 tetanus antitoxin is injected early there is practically no hope 

 for recovery. Many cats live about barns and stables. In bury- 

 ing their own excreta their claws often come in contact with 

 horse manure as well as dirt, both of which may be infected 



