680 
D. E. SALMON 
In nearly all cases these indirect measures have been proven 
insufficient and unsatisfactory. What other disease would we 
attempt to stamp out by simply killing off one-fourth or one- 
third of the animals of the species affected ? And if this meas¬ 
ure is not efficient with other contagious diseases, why should 
we expect it to be with rabies ? It appears self-evident from a 
sanitary point of view that there should be some direct meas¬ 
ures instituted to prevent the propagation of the contagion. 
Such a measure would be the quarantine and confinement of 
all dogs for a sufficient time to cover the ordinary incubation 
period of rabies. As the enforced and continuous confinement 
of dogs without open air exercise for a prolonged period is detri¬ 
mental to the animals, they may be allowed in public places un¬ 
der such conditions as will absolutely prevent them from biting. 
That is, the animals should wear an efficient muzzle, or they 
should be muzzled and led in leash. As rabies is only propa¬ 
gated in nature by biting, such a regulation, if thoroughly en¬ 
forced, would at once stop the transmission of the disease, and 
soon lead to its disappearance. 
When this measure is inaugurated, however, it is at once 
opposed by a large class of citizens who hold it to be cruel and 
unnecessary. Some muzzles are unquestionably cruel, but a 
properly made muzzle is not cruel, nor does it greatly inconven¬ 
ience the dog after he becomes accustomed to it. The authori¬ 
ties should, therefore, prescribe the kind of muzzle to be used, 
and should select one which covers the mouth with a wire cage, 
so as to prevent biting, but without interfering with the move¬ 
ments of the mouth and the ingestion of liquids. 
There have been many who have denied the utility of the 
muzzle, the strongest argument being that dogs do not wear 
the muzzle at home, and when they develop rabies and escape, 
it is always when they are unmuzzled. Admitting the force of 
this argument, it is, nevertheless, a fact, that if all dogs were 
required to be muzzled when in public places, the appearance 
of a dog without a muzzle would at once attract attention, lead¬ 
ing persons to avoid it, and causing its early seizure by the an- 
