624 
ON RABIES. 
Mr. C. Lushington.‘ —Some years ago, when you were examined before the 
Committee for inquiring into the cruel treatment of animals, a great deal of evidence 
was given with regard to receptacles systematically kept for the fighting of dogs; 
have not they been put down by that Act of Parliament?—Publicly they have, but 
privately they exist to a greater degree than they did then. There are low public- 
houses to which those persons resort, and which have private conveniences behind, 
where these brutalities may be carried on unknown, except by those who are in the 
habit of taking part in them. There are also dealers and others, at whose places dogs 
are kept by young men, who ought to know better, for the express purpose of fighting. 
Cannot the vigilance of the police extend to those places ?—I should say that it ought; 
but to the fact I speak without any hesitation. 
Mr. Hume. —Have you observed of late, that dogs have been more used in carts 
and other out-door work than formerly?—There are more dog-carts about than 
there used to be three or four years ago. 
And do you attribute the more frequent occurrence of loss of life and property 
by hydrophobia to the ill-treatment of these dogs, or to what cause ?—In ray opinion, 
rabies is produced by the saliva of a rabid dog, or a rabid animal, usually introduced 
into the system by means of a bite. This is the sole cause of the disease. 
And the question is, whether you can assign any reason why that disease has been 
more frequent of late than formerly?—1 would give two reasons ; first, the greater 
number of dogs kept for the especial purpose of fighting, and the increase of that 
particular breed of dogs ; and, secondly, the dogs employed in carts having a portion 
of that breed about them, are frequently not only kept for the purpose of drawing carts, 
but for fighting, and consequently are naturally disposed to do mischief. 
Can you suggest any mode by which the danger arising from these practices can 
be put down?—1 can add but little to what a former witness stated. If you insist 
upon every dog-cart being licensed, and having a number, with the name and resi¬ 
dence of the owner in letters an inch long upon the carf, you would be, in some mea¬ 
sure, enabled to trace many of them, though, perhaps, not all. 
You have stated that the practice of dog-fighting continues notwithstanding legis¬ 
lation to the contrary; have you of late witnessed any of those acts of cruelty where 
dogs tear each other to pieces, which you stated before the Committee of 1832 ?— 
I have not been present at any of those scenes ; I do not speak from personal know¬ 
ledge, but from a perfect assurance of the fact. 
But do you believe that the same cruel system of making dogs fight until they tear 
each other to pieces, which you stated in 1832 of your own knowledge, still continues ? 
—I do; and that it is increased. 
Do you believe the state of excitement to which those dogs are driven at such periods 
tends to produce this disease of rabies, or canine madness?—No. 
Then in what way are they injurious?—They are more disposed to be quarrel¬ 
some than other dogs, therefore they are more likely to be bitten, and to communi¬ 
cate the disease. They are exposed to the common hazard of being bitten, and, 
when rabid, their ferocity is fearfully increased, and a bull-dog, or bull-terrier, or a 
dog of any similar breed does twenty times the mischief that a dog of a quieter disposi¬ 
tion would. 
Mr.C. Lushington. —You are understood to say that dog-fights do not produce 
canine madness?—Indirectly they do, by encouraging a particular breed of dogs. 
Then, do you believe that canine madness is confined to any one particular class of 
dogs ?—No. 
Then what class of dogs do you allude to, which dog-fighting encourages ?—^The 
bull-dog and terrier, and every grade between the two. 
Mr. Hume. —Are you able to suggest any thing to the Committee by which the 
number of these dogs, which you state to be injurious to society generally, could be 
reduced ?—By laying a heavy tax upon them; and when they are used for the pur¬ 
pose of draught, by compelling the owner of each dog to take out a license. 
Is it your opinion that the ill-usage of dogs, the exposure to heat, and want of food, 
can produce in any dog the disease of rabies, which is so dangerous toother animals ?— 
No; but I think that in common humanity you ought to take means to put an end to 
such horrible atrocities. 
Is it your opinion that that which produces rabies in dogs is a virus similar to that 
of small-pox, which lies latent, and can only be communicated from one to the other 
by inoculation, and cannot be produced by any ill usage?—That is my firm belief. 
