MINUTES OF EVIDENCE ON CANINE MADNESS. G39 
in every instance I think; but there are many cases of very long¬ 
standing in the human subject. 
Would you recommend any thing by way of police or other¬ 
wise, to prevent the effect of bites from dogs?—I have nothing 
to suggest upon that point, except a tax on people who keep 
dogs; that, I think, is the best remedy. 
The number to your knowledge is very great in the streets of 
London and its suburbs? — Yes, it is. 
Are dogs most numerous in the parts inhabited by the rich or 
the poor ?—I have a great number about me at Camden Town 
and Somers Town: there are a great many more in the environs 
of London than in the centre of London. 
Do you think they are kept more by the common people and 
in the back lanes, than in the more respectable situations ?—Yes; 
I am of that opinion. 
Royal Veterinary College, 12th July, 1830. 
Gentlemen, r; 
As I had the honour to state to the Honourable Committee of 
the House of Commons, on Canine Madness, that in my opinion 
hydrophobia in dogs is often generated from breathing a confined 
atmosphere, impregnated with an animal poison from the lungs, 
faeces, urine, and skin, I beg to add that hydrophobia will be 
generally found more or less prevalent as dogs are more or less 
exposed to these causes; and therefore, whenever the public mind 
is much excited on this subject, and dogs in consequence are 
more confined , and have not only less exercise but inhale less of 
the natural atmosphere, hydrophobia is more frequent. Under 
this impression, I feel it my duty to suggest to the consideration 
of the Committee, the propriety of every dog wearing a collar, 
with the name and residence of the owner, (and in the streets a 
muzzle) and which would not only give a great security to the 
public, but, when dogs become affected with hydrophobia, it 
would probably lead to a discovery of the history of disease in 
each particular case. 
The expence of collars and muzzles would also diminish the 
number of dogs, and prevent the necessity of confinement, so 
prejudicial to the health of dogs, and so likely to produce and 
propagate the disease. Moreover, these precautions would pre¬ 
vent, in a great degree, the facility of selling stolen dogs, and, in 
consequence, diminish the crime of dog-stealing. 
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, 
Most respectfully, your most humble and obedient servant, 
To the Hon. Committee on . Edward Coleman, 
Canine Madness, &c. Professor. 
