Aug. 10, 1895.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



123 



POINTS AND FLUSHES. 



Hydrophobia and Rabies. 



If any evidence of the popular fallacy concerning 

 hydrophobia and rabies were needed, abundance of it 

 can be found in the daily papers, from the beginning to 

 the end of summer time. The popular belief seems to be 

 unalterably fixed on hot weather and rabies being related 

 - to each other as cause and effect. It seems to be useless 

 to reiterate, in season and out of season, that hot weather 

 is not productive of rabies in the dog; that there are more 

 cases of that disease in cold weather than in hot weather, 

 though at any time the disease is extremely rare; that 

 most of the so-called cases of rabies are not rabies at all, 

 but are nervous diseases from which dogs suffer in hot 

 weather — however often all this may be repeated, the 

 public at large holds to its old and cherished beliefs that 

 the reign of the dog star has some baneful effect on dogs, 

 though the dog star has no effect whatever. If a dog 

 has a fit, or is suffering from any violent nervous disease 

 in hot weather, the average citizen is pleased to class all 

 such different diseases under one head — madness. 



All the authorities are unanimous in that the disease 

 can be transmitted only by inoculation from a bite, or by 

 having the virus placed directly in the blood by mechani- 

 cal means. There is a popular error concerning the 

 effects of the disease in dogs. One is that the dog cannot 

 drink water; that indeed the sight of it will make him 

 furious and bring on a convulsion of madness. The 

 authorities maintain that such is not the fact. Dogs 

 suffering from the disease have been known to drink 

 water, and have shown no fear of it. In man it is con- 

 ceded that the effects are different, as when suffering 

 from the disease he shows a fear of water. It then is 

 called hydrophobia. The disease when in the dog is 

 called rabies. 



It is said that the disease is very rare in hot countries, 

 and in Constantinople and other Mahommedan cities, 

 where the dogs act as scavengers, ill and foully fed and 

 worse housed— conditions under which one would think 

 that rabies would flourish — the disease is almost unknown. 



As the dog is quite as likely to have the disease in cold 

 as in hot weather, the numerous laws and precautions put 

 in action in the summer time are due to ignorance of the 

 true cause and status of the disease. The extra precau- 

 tions do much to excite alarm, which is the parent of 

 exaggeration. Though in fact no more dogs go mad in 

 summer than in winter, one rarely reads of such an occur- 

 rence in winter time, while the newspapers mention cases 

 innumerable in summer, which goes to show how fright 

 and fancy, founded on ignorance, will cause silly exag- 

 geration. 



Nor does the disease come on suddenly and spontane- 

 ously, as is commonly supposed. It can only come from 

 the virus directly inoculated in the blood, and then a 

 number of days are required for its development. Dogs 

 have been subjected to the most thorough tests, many of 

 them cruel, such as a prolonged hot temperature, ex- 

 tremes of temperature, restraint, starvation, suppressed 

 sexual appetite, etc., but none of them have ever been 

 known to cause the disease; so that it may safely be said 

 that it is never spontaneous. 



The poison is dormant a longer or shorter time after it 

 enters the blood of the dog, generally a few days, 

 though on this point authorities disagree, some stating 

 that this stage of development is six to ten days, others a 

 longer time. Ashmont says: "The two' extremes in a 

 dog, which have been reported, are, the shortest, one 

 week; the longest, eight months." At what period the 

 dog can at first communicate the virus by bite is not 

 determined. Every bite is not necessarily followed by a 

 development of the disease in the person or animal bitten. 

 It is said that about sixty-seven per cent, of dogs bitten 

 develop the disease, though Youatt gives it as being much 

 less. He says: "The following observations and experi- 

 ments respecting rabies, by Dr. Hertvich, professor at the 

 Veterinary School at Berlin, are worthy of attention. (1) 

 Out of fifty dogs that had been inoculated with virus 

 taken from a rabid animal of the same species, 

 fourteen only were infected. (2) In the cases where 

 inoculation had been practised without effect, 

 no reason could be assigned why the disease should not 

 have taken place. This consequently proves that the 

 malady is similar to others of a contagious nature, and 

 that there must exist a predisposition in the individual to 

 receive the disease before it can occur. In one experiment, 

 a mastiff dog, aged 4 years, was inoculated without ex- 

 hibiting any symptoms of the malady; while seven others, 

 who had been inoculated at the same time and place, soon 

 became rabid. Several of these animals had been in- 

 oculated several times before any symptoms showed 

 themselves, while in others, on the contrary, once was 

 sufficient. (3) It appears that in a state of doubtful rabies 

 one or two accidental or artificial inoculations are not 

 sufficient to create a negative proof of its existence. (4) 

 The disease has never been communicated to an in- 

 dividual from one infected by means of the per- 

 spirable matter; this, therefore, is a proof that the con- 

 tagious part of the disease is not of a volatile nature. 

 (5) It does not only exist in the saliva and the mucus 

 of the mouth, but likewise in the blood and the 

 parenchyma of the salivary glands; but not in the pulpy 

 substance of the nerves. (6) The power of communi- 

 cating infection is found to exist in all stages of the con- 

 firmed disease, even twenty-four hours after the decease 

 of the rabid animal. (7) The morbid virus, when ad- 

 ministered internally, appears to be incapable of com- 

 municating this disease; inasmuch as of twenty dogs to 

 whom was given a certain quantity not one exhibited the 

 least symptom of rabies. (8) The application of the 

 saliva upon recent wounds appears to have been as often 

 succeeded by confirmed rabies as when the dog had been 

 bitten by a rabid animal. (9) It can not now be doubted 

 that the disease is produced by the wound itself, as was 

 supposed by M. Girard, of Lyons, not by the fright of the 

 individual, according to the opinion of others, but only 

 from the absorption of the morbid virus from its surface. 

 (10) Several experiments have proved to me the Little re- 

 liance to be placed on the opinion that in those dogs who 

 become rabid after the bite of an animal previously 

 attacked with this disease the contagious effect of the 

 saliva is not continued, but only exists in those primarily 

 bitten. (11) During the period of incubation of the virus 

 there are no morbid, local or general alterations of struc- 

 ture or function to be seen in the infected animal; neither 

 are there any vesicles to be perceived on the inferior sur- 

 face of the tongue, nor any previous symptoms which are 



found in Other contagious diseases. (12) This disease is at 

 its height at the end of fifty days after either artificial or 

 accidental inoculation; and the author has never known 

 it to manifest itself at a later period. (13) It is quite an 

 erroneous idea to suppose that dogs in a state of health 

 are enabled to distinguish, at first sight, a rabid animal, 

 inasmuch aB they never refuse their food when mixed 

 with the secretions of those affected." 



The symptoms after inoculation, as described by Youatt, 

 are as follows: "The early symptoms of rabies in the clog 

 are occasionally very obscure. In the greater number of 

 cases there are sullenness, fidgetiness and continual shift- 

 ing of posture. When I have had opportunity, I have 

 generally found these circumstances in regular succession. 

 For several consecutive hours perhaps he retreats to his 

 basket or his bed. He shows no disposition to bite, and 

 he answers the call upon him laggardly. He is curled up 

 and his face is buried between his paws and his breast. 

 At length he begins to be fidgety. He searches out new 

 resting places; but he very soon changes them for others. 

 He takes again to his own bed, but he is continually 

 shifting his posture. He begins to gaze about him as he 

 lies on his bed. His countenance is cloudy and suspi- 

 cious. He comes to one or another of the family and he 

 fixes on them a steadfast gaze as if he would read 

 their very thoughts. 'I feel strangely ill,' he seems to say ; 

 'have you anything to do with it? or you? or you?' Has 

 not a dog mind enough for this? If we have observed a 

 rabid dog at the commencement of the disease, we have 

 seen this to the very life." The author then goes on to 

 mention the stages of delirium — springing at phantom 

 enemies furiously, watching suspiciously inanimate bodies, 

 though a word from his master dispels his illusions and 

 restores his mind momentarily. But wildness and terror 

 of imaginary foes return, and he ferociously springs for- 

 ward to meet them. His countenance changes; he is anx- 

 ious, or inquiring, or threatening, according to his tem- 

 perament. The eyes are bright and dazzling — fiery. 

 Great restlessness sets in; a shifting from corner to cor- 

 ner; rising up and lying down; fixing his bed with his 

 paws; shaking it with his mouth; raking it in a heap, 

 then trundling it out of the kennel. He reaches eagerly 

 for some imaginary lost thing. 



He shows more than usual affection for his owner. 

 Vomiting sometimes sets in; the appetite is depraved; the 

 sublingual glands become inflamed. The froth so often 

 described as covering the mad dog's mouth is entirely 

 fabulous. The saliva becomes scarcer, adhesive and 

 thicker. He tries to remove it with his paws. Suffoca- 

 tion threatens. His thirst is great. In dumb rabies the 

 jaw and tongue are paralyzed. The spinal cord is af- 

 fected. The howl and bark are seldom heard. The voice 

 is hoarser. He has a longing to wander. Living things 

 in his path he snaps at. If he is naturally ferocious he 

 seeks combat. If he is Been in time he dies generally 

 from violence at the hands of some one; or if he is not 

 seen he dies soon from the violence of the disease. In 

 any event the disease has well developed stages, comes on 

 with symptoms which are unmistakable and never 

 comes in the violent, spontaneous manner as commonly 

 supposed. 



A pathetic story of a dog's intelligence and devotion to 

 his master is told in the columns of the daily press. 

 Charles Gillen was in Montana in the Big Horn country 

 purchasing sheep and cattle. About two miles from a 

 ranch his revolver, which he carried in his "chaps," was 

 accidentally discharged, the bullet penetrating through 

 his body. He fell from the saddle in a faint. When he 

 revived he ordered his trained shepherd dog to drive his 

 horse to McVey's ranch, the nearest ranch to him and the 

 most convenient from which to derive assistance. The 

 dog seemed reluctant to leave his master, but on being 

 scolded he started the horse toward the ranch. On the 

 way the horse got mixed with a band of horses, the dog 

 cut him out and ran him in a gallop to the ranch, where 

 he attracted attention to himself and the riderless horse. 

 The dog by his manner showed that he desired to lead the 

 way back. The dog's haste was so great that the horse- 

 man, who had mounted to follow him, had difficulty in 

 keeping him in sight. The wounded man was still alive 

 when the party reached him. 



No business was transacted at the meeting of the 

 National Beagle Club of America, held on July 30. Six 

 members were present. Mr. George W. Rogers, the sec- 

 retary, writes us as follows: "It is hoped that as many 

 members as possible will attend the adjourned meeting 

 on Aug. 13, as the committees for the coming field trials 

 at Hempstead, L. I., will be selected." 



There is a big black and white Newfoundland dog 

 strutting around Columbia street, which is being fed with 

 cookies by all the children in the neighborhood. He 

 became a hero Monday by jumping into the Atlantic basin, 

 at the foot of Sackett street, and hauling little 8-year-old 

 John McGuinnis from the water. The dog's name is 

 Grover. Grover was taken to the basin by his master for 

 his daily bath. After the dog had his swim and was 

 trotting up the street behind his master there was a cry 

 from the boys on the dock. The McGuinnis lad had been 

 pushed overboard by one of his playmates. Hammerstadt, 

 followed by the dog, rushed back to the dock. The boy 

 was struggling in the water, far from the pier. Grover 

 plunged into the basin and swam to the boy. Not being 

 able to grab the lad at first the dog pushed him under the 

 water. When the boy came up again Grover caught hold 

 of his jacket and started to tow him ashore. Young 

 McGuinnis reached over and put his arms about the 

 animal's neck. Although a swift current was r unn ing at 

 the time the dog continued steadily to the dock and landed 

 his burden safely. Grover has never before acted as a life 

 saver. He is an intelligent looking dog and has a noble 

 head. — Union and Advertiser. 



Reports of cases of dog poisoning are numerous in the 

 neighborhood of Mount Hope in the Twenty-fourth Ward. 

 Fifteen were poisoned last week. August Loucks, of An- 

 thony avenue, lost a St. Bernard valued at $500; Chas. 

 Peterson lost a valuable Newf oudland and J. Mark a collie. 



An adjourned meeting of the National Beagle Club of 

 America will be held at the rooms of the A. K. C, 55 

 Liberty street, Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 3:30 P. M. 



From reports in the daily press we learn that Dr. F. W. 

 Kitchel, Perth Amboy, famous as a dog fancier, is doing 



good work as president of the Society for the Pre- 

 vention of Cruelty to Animals. He was recently officially 

 quite active in bringing to prosecution a man who 

 had inhumanly treated some horses. The conviction re- 

 sulted in a fine of $25. 



Dr. J. S. Niven, well known as a bench show judge and 

 fancier, made a brief call in Forest and Stream office on 

 Thursday, Aug. 1, a few hours before his departure for 

 England. He will be absent about a month. He informed 

 us that the Montreal show promises well. 



"The Rules, Standard and Stakes of the American Fox 

 Terrier Club" is the title of a moat artistically arranged 

 work, full of information. It contains a list of officers 

 and members, rules, points of the fox terrier, a list of 

 winners of the Grand Challenge Cup, and the conditions 

 of the numerous stakes. Harry W. Smith, Sec'y, Wor- 

 cester. 



White Wonder, the bull terrier sold to English pur- 

 chasers some time since, is dead. A 'post mortem showed 

 that a cork lodging in the dog's stomach was the cause. 



There are men who confound malicious cruelty with fun 

 and humor. The following is a case in point: "I've a 

 great scheme," said an ingenious Orange county man to a 

 New York Sun reporter. "There's no patent on it, either. 

 It is just a cat and dog teaser, and it beats anything I 

 ever saw for the purpese. I got an old stove zinc and laid 

 it on the ground near the back door. Then I put a wooden 

 bucket of milk on the zinc. In the kitchen I've got a bat- 

 tery of two gallon cells and a four-inch coil with a vibrat- 

 ing circuit breaker. One wire is connected to the zinc 

 plate and the other terminates in a piece of metal in the 

 milk. You just ought to see the effect. A cat comes 

 along, smells the milk and goes for it. She just touches 

 the milk with her whiskers and looks puzzled when the 

 slight, tingling shock is felt. Then she returns to the 

 attack, and touches her tongue to the surface of the milk. 

 Her hair rises then and she emits a yell of rage or pain as 

 she Bprings away from the pail, and then turns to look 

 back at it. I have seen the same cat take two ohocks 

 within as many minutes, and then act as if she wanted to 

 try it again, but didn't dare to. With dogs it is different, 

 The dog steps upon the zinc, lops bis long tongue in the 

 milk, and then turns a back somersault. He wants no 

 more than that, but tucking his tail between his legs 

 streaks out of the yard as quickly as possible. If you want 

 to try it you needn't use a whole pail of milk. Just take 

 a crockery dish and it will answer just as well. Milk is 

 cheap up our way, you know, and I took the first thing 

 that came handy." 



The Canadian brethren are not without legal troubles 

 in respect to their dogs, similar to those of the States. 

 From the Toronto Globe of July 27 we clip the following: 

 "A case which worked some hardship for one owner, 

 but which may result in ultimate benefit, occurred last 

 night. Mr. James Douglas, the well-known Irish setter 

 fancier, was walking along Adelaide street with Toronto 

 Blaney at his heels when the city dog-catcher gathered 

 the dog in. No attention was paid to Mr. Douglas's state- 

 ment that he had a kennel license, though the constable 

 on the beat and Dr. Campbell supported him. Blaney 

 was carted off to the pound and shut up with a lot of worth- 

 less curs, where he may contract mange or some other 

 disease, and just now the dog is being got into condition 

 for the bench shows. Mr. Douglas pays $10 for a kennel 

 license for his few registered dogs, and he intends to find 

 out if this gives him any protection for them. He will 

 put the matter into the hands of his solicitor this morning 

 and the result will be that holders of kennel licenses will 

 find out where they stand." 



The following is an extract from the letter of an Angli- 

 cized Japanese, whose innate love for field sports struggled 

 with inadequate language to express it. We are indebted 

 for it to the kindness of our correspondent, "Dick of Con- 

 necticut;" "The English setter are of spiritedly much 

 workers which are largest in broadness of the fields 

 which they in eminenced search for the 'Bob White,' which 

 is the name called the really quail. The sportsman who 

 is much knowledge of the setter makes of rejection to the 

 pointer which has many friends. Setters and pointers 

 which in difference of hair only, and then of much alike 

 all the same. The fun of much catching the quail are 

 grand excitement. He is a very fly fast, and the man 

 which shoot quick without catching the brown study, and 

 the quail he in a heap of featchers is died in the atmos- 

 phere. The dog he is then said, 'Fetch,' and he arriving 

 with the bird tenderly. The sportsman which in his re- 

 trievement of the dog makes sometimes of fifty and one 

 hundred lai'ger of quails in a best day. The man though 

 of shoot for nice sport, of sell his game sometimes which 

 his friends call bad inconsiderate, yet when he gives it 

 away it is then appellation the refinement. The gun and 

 dog give much walk, and nobility of health beyond eyes 

 brightness and glowingly color. It is what of also the 

 American exclaim nature's beautiful." 



"Papa!" 



"What is it, Johnnie?" 



"I read a poem in my school reader which spoke of 

 'dogs of high degree.' " 

 "Well?" 



"Papa, does that mean Skye terriers?" — Pittsburg 

 Chronicle. 



Mr. J. B. Stoddard, under date of Aug. 1, writes from 

 Oak Bluff, Man., that he has a large string of Darby en- 

 tries and is working early and late to get them in shape to 

 start* He says that he finds birds none too plentiful. 

 Through the kindness of the Government officers the Con- 

 tinental Field Trials Club will have the same courtesies 

 shown those who enter from the States as are shown to 

 the home clubs under similar circumstances. Much in- 

 terest is manifested and the trials promise to be a great 

 success. 



Mr. Wm. Ellery Bright, of Waltham, Mass,, will judge 

 Boston terriers at the R, I. S, F. Association's bench 

 show. Gordon setters will be given the same classifi- 

 cation in the prize list as are given to English and Irish 

 setters. 



The enterprise and energy of the Swiss Mountain Ken,- 



