Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1896 — DOGS TRANSMIT DISEASE. [ARTICLE]

DOGS TRANSMIT DISEASE.

Many Cases of Mysterious Illness Are Solely Due to Canine Pets. A French doctor of repute advance* the theory that disease can be transmitted from a dog to a human being. He claims that many diseases which are attributed to other causes are really contracted in this manner. Consumption is cited as an ailment to which this theory is particularly applicable, as well as diphtheria, typhus fever and cancer. Dr. Glover, the veterinarian of the Westminster Kennel Club, said that contagion from a dog was unlikely, but by no means impossible. The easiest diseases to contract in this manne were the itch and ringworm. He knows of at least two cases where mange had been transmitted. The parasite of mange in a dog will produce the same sort of disease in a human being, but the affection will not spread. Wherever the dog's skin comes in contact with human flesh an intense itching will ensue. Little vesicles will form where the parasite burrows in and produces the itching sensation. The disease is, of course, only communicated when all the circumstances are favorable. It will not attack the hands, because the skin is too hard. It is not definitely known whether cancer is contagious or not, but the malignant growth in a dog is the same as in a human being, and there is good reason to believe that contagion is possible.

Dogs are not sensitive to consumption and very rarely have been fed on tuberculous meat for months without experiencing any ill effects. The disease however, some times effect a lodgment, and always kills the animal. So far as is known there is no case on record in this country where consumption has been contracted from a dog. Dr. Sherwood says dogs also have rheumatism, pneumonia, jaundice, etc., but, of course, none of these are contagious. The old idea that a dog held in the arms of a rheumatic individual will draw the rheumatism from the sufferer is entirely erroneous. The animal heat of the dog will temporarily benefit the rheumatism, but the dog will not fall heir to the affliction. It is a disease caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, and cannot be transmitted. Doctors and veterinary surgeons agree that ringworm cau lie and often is caught from a dog. It is apparently the same parasite which causes the disease in all animals. Dogs and cats will contract it from rats and mice which they kill, and children in turn contract it from them very easily. One fact, however, is beyond question. More dogs catch diseases from human beings than human beings do i rom dogs. As a rule, a dog is healthier than the average man, and can, consequently, resist disease better.—