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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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rabies,_or_hydrophobia
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1992-09-01
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24 lines
Greek `fear of water' disease of the central
nervous system that can afflict all warm-
blooded creatures. It is almost invariably
fatal once symptoms have developed. Its
transmission to humans is generally by a bite
from a rabid dog. After an incubation period,
which may vary from ten days to more than a
year, symptoms of fever, muscle spasm, and
delirium develop. As the disease progresses,
the mere sight of water is enough to provoke
convulsions and paralysis. Death is usual
within four or five days from the onset of
symptoms. Injections of rabies vaccine and
antiserum may save those bitten by a rabid
animal from developing the disease. Louis
Pasteur was the first to produce a preventive
vaccine, and the Pasteur Institute was
founded to treat the disease. As a control
measure for foxes and other wild animals,
vaccination (by bait) is recommended. In
France, foxes are now vaccinated against
rabies with capsules distributed by
helicopter.