Sl8 DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



In Februar), i860, hydrophobia broke out as an epizootic in 

 Upernavik, the northernmost settlement in Greenland (72° N. lati- 

 tude). The thermometer stood then for some time at 25° F. be- 

 low zero, and the favorable condition of the sledge roads con- 

 tributed greatly to the spread of the disorder. In like manner, in 

 1863, hydrophobia prevailed in epizootic form in the northern por- 

 tions of Greenland, completely destroying all the dogs in certain 

 districts. 



In Missouri and Ohio, hydrophobia prevailed so extensively in 

 i860, that cattle owners solicited reimbursement from the national 

 treasury on account of their great loss in cattle. 



In Constantinople, hydrophobia rages in some years — e.g. 

 1839, 1868 — ^\'ery widely, and is not unfrequent, though statements 

 have been promulgated to the contrary. In Athens it prevailed 

 in epizootic form in 1866. The occurrence of hydrophobia in Asia 

 Minor and Crete has been recounted by Ceelius Aurelianus; and 

 the disease was well known to the ancient Hebrews. Notwith 

 standing former reports, it is now known that hydrophobia fre- 

 quently occurs in Algiers, and its appearance in Egypt has been 

 repeatedly verified. 



The disease is found moreover in Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, 

 British Guiana, Cape of Good Hope, Japan, and in the East and 

 West Indies. 



It will be seen that the study of the geographical distribution 

 of the disease leads us to deny in toio the»theory of its spontane- 

 ous origin. 



A great deal of nonsensical trash, purporting to emanate from 

 authority, has appeared in the non-medical press of late years. 

 Perhaps among the most notable, is one purporting to describe 

 two forms of " madness " which are designated as " hydrophobia" 

 and " distemper " madness, " which closely resemble each other." 

 The fallacy of the article will be noticed from the fact that the dog 

 when suffering from rabies is stated to be " violently insane only 

 on the approximation of water," and that post-mortem reveals 

 "intense inflammation of the brain extending to the throat and 

 lungs."' Tlie whole article is drawn from an old work of the iStli 

 century entitled " A Sportsman's Dictionary,"* and is taken 



* Tliis work treats entirely of hounds and horses. 



