310 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



sizes the necessity for a better inspection of meats and pro- 

 visions, ratlier than any legislation in connection with con- 

 tao:ious diseases of animals. 



Rabies. 



For the past few years rabies has occurred so seldom in 

 Massachusetts as to be practically unknown. Two animals 

 reported early in the summer as suspected of having rabies 

 proved not to have the disease, upon the result of inocula- 

 tion of rabbits. 



One of these dogs was reported last July by Dr. W. A. 

 Sherman, the inspector of animals in Lowell, who sent the 

 head to Dr. Frothingham, who inoculated rabljits from the 

 brain and cord. Ninety days later the rabbits were still 

 healthy. 



The other case was reported hy Dr. W. M. Simpson, the 

 inspector of animals in Maiden. He sent the head of the 

 dog to a friend connected with the' New York City board of 

 health, who reported to him that rabbits inoculated had 

 failed to develop the disease. 



A case of suspected rabies was reported by Dr. Alex. 

 Burr, early in November, as dying at the veterinary hos- 

 pital at 50 Village Street, Boston. Dr. Burr found that 

 this animal was owned in Somerville. The remains were 

 turned over to the Cattle Bureau, and the ral)bits inoculated 

 at the Harvard Medical School by Dr. Frothingham devel- 

 oped rabies December 2. There is no history of this dog 

 having been in a fight or having been bitten by any other 

 dog, and, as far as known, he did not do any damage after 

 developing symptoms of disease. 



Since the close of the year, December 15, another dog 

 has been reported, by Dr. A. W. Draper of Milton, on sus- 

 picion that it had rabies. This dog was killed, and its head 

 taken to the Harvard Medical School for Dr. Frothingham to 

 use in inoculating rabbits. It is feared that this will prove 

 a case of rabies, although it is too soon to give a final 

 report on it. This case, however, does not properly belong 

 in the work of 1904, as it was reported after December 15. 



It is to be regretted that these cases have occurred, as it 



