The following is a genuine email sent round my workplace.
I think it's funny anyway.
Subject: Calling the owners of slobbery dogs
The rabies group at Weybridge is undertaking a ROAME project which is looking
at several aspects of the pathogenesis of rabies. One component of the
project is to ensure that we are able to use PCR to detect rabies virus in the
saliva of dogs. As
we do not have the disease in the UK we are carrying out the work by 'spiking'
uninfected dog saliva with serial dilutions of virus. Unfortunately, supplies
of dog saliva are rather limited and are threatening to stop us achieving our
project
milestones.
We urgently need large quantities of dog drool, a commodity which most dog
owners would be more than glad to never see again! Those of you who own dogs
which have the habit of drooling would be ideally suited to provide us with
the much needed
supplies. Even those of you with not so slobbery animals could help by
supplying small amounts for later testing.
If you can, please help by collecting samples into a suitable (leak proof,
crush resistant e.g. a plastic universal) container, labelled with your name
and that of your dog (If you need a container we can send you one). Please
then send them to
me in virology.
Despite our need for this material we would not want anyone taking the risk of
being bitten by a dog that is liable to get irritated with an owner who
pursues it with a universal bottle. Likewise we are not asking anyone to put
their hand or other
sampling equipment into the dogs mouth. Collecting what dribbles out should be
more than adequate. Please be careful!
Thanks in advance.
Sorry to bother you if you have no dog or have received this e-mail more than
once.
Paul Lowings
Rabies Unit
Virology
Weybridge
Extn. 2840
Chris Lyth
...................................................
Nothing really rocks, and nothing really rolls
And nothing's ever worth the cost.
I think it's funny anyway.
Subject: Calling the owners of slobbery dogs
The rabies group at Weybridge is undertaking a ROAME project which is looking
at several aspects of the pathogenesis of rabies. One component of the
project is to ensure that we are able to use PCR to detect rabies virus in the
saliva of dogs. As
we do not have the disease in the UK we are carrying out the work by 'spiking'
uninfected dog saliva with serial dilutions of virus. Unfortunately, supplies
of dog saliva are rather limited and are threatening to stop us achieving our
project
milestones.
We urgently need large quantities of dog drool, a commodity which most dog
owners would be more than glad to never see again! Those of you who own dogs
which have the habit of drooling would be ideally suited to provide us with
the much needed
supplies. Even those of you with not so slobbery animals could help by
supplying small amounts for later testing.
If you can, please help by collecting samples into a suitable (leak proof,
crush resistant e.g. a plastic universal) container, labelled with your name
and that of your dog (If you need a container we can send you one). Please
then send them to
me in virology.
Despite our need for this material we would not want anyone taking the risk of
being bitten by a dog that is liable to get irritated with an owner who
pursues it with a universal bottle. Likewise we are not asking anyone to put
their hand or other
sampling equipment into the dogs mouth. Collecting what dribbles out should be
more than adequate. Please be careful!
Thanks in advance.
Sorry to bother you if you have no dog or have received this e-mail more than
once.
Paul Lowings
Rabies Unit
Virology
Weybridge
Extn. 2840
Chris Lyth
...................................................
Nothing really rocks, and nothing really rolls
And nothing's ever worth the cost.