296 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Experiments have recently been made in Italy in the treat- 

 ment of rabies with radium, but it is too early at present to 

 predict Avhat success may be attained by this means. 



It is probable that rabies will continue to cause more or 

 less trouljle for a year or two longer before it can be finally 

 extirpated ; and then it can be easily reintroduced at any 

 time, as demonstrated Ijy the dogs which have developed it 

 after arriving from Pennsylvania and Virginia, and probably 

 by the beast that appeared in southwestern Massachusetts 

 recently, which in all probability came from Connecticut, as 

 there is at present an outbreak of rabies reported in Winsted 

 and Torrington in Litchfield County. A rabid dog will fre- 

 quently run a long distance in a short space of time. One 

 owned in Grafton disappeared at noon one Sunday, and 

 Monday morning was found in Kingston, Plymouth County, 

 a distance of about fifty miles from home. Fortunately, this 

 animal was muzzled ; but it can readily be seen what an 

 amount of damage a rabid dog may cause which has this tend- 

 ency to run a long distance and bite other animals it may 

 meet, and how in this way the disease may be carried from 

 one State into another. 



If a system could be devised requiring all dogs brought 

 into the State to be held in cjuarantine for ninety days after 

 arrival, it would practically keep out rabies after it was once 

 eradicated ; but this can only be applicable to islands like 

 Great Britain and Australia. All dogs brought to Australia 

 are (juarantined for a suitable length of time after landing, 

 and an outbreak of rabies has never occurred there. 



In closing this portion of the report, it would not be com- 

 plete without a commendation of tiie work done by the local 

 authorities in co-operating with tlie officials of the Cattle 

 Bureau in the la])or of doing all that was possible in limit- 

 ing the ravages of rabies, and thus protecting life and prop- 

 erty. The efforts of the local insi)ectors of animals, police, 

 boards of selectmen and majors and aldermen have been in 

 the main most efficient and })raisew()rthy, and the thanks of 

 the conmiunity are due them for the manner in which they 

 have worked with the Chief of the Cattle Bureau and his 

 agents for the suppression of this dangerous and trouble- 

 some disease. 



