VACCINES IN PROPHYLAXIS OF DISEASE 195 



present in the saliva. Subsequently, it was 

 found that this causative agent, or rabies virus, 

 would be destroyed by heating the saliva, by 

 adding certain chemicals, or by exposing the 

 saliva to sunlight. It was further shown that it 

 is possible to filter out the virus by forcing the 

 saliva through a very fine porcelain filter. 



The presence of the virus in its purest form 

 can be demonstrated in the substance of the 

 spinal cord and brain. It is also present in the 

 saliva and salivary glands; and frequently in 

 the milk and mammary glands, and in the 

 lachrymal secretion and glands. Hence, in per- 

 forming an autopsy upon a rabid animal, care 

 must be exercised not to come in contact with 

 the saliva, brain, spinal cord, or other secre- 

 tions and tissues which contain the virus; es- 

 pecially when the person has wounds, cuts, or 

 open sores through which the virus may gain en- 

 trance. 



CARE OF ANIMAL 



If the animal is dead, its head and about four 

 inches of the neck should be severed from the 

 body and sent to a State, Municipal or other 

 diagnostic laboratory for examination. If the 

 animal is alive, every possible effort should be 



