1 Dept of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee, Memphis, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
The diagnosis of tularemia, a bacterial disease, may not be considered because of its low incidence in the United States. A careful epidemiologic history, however, may offer the necessary clues to diagnosis.1 We describe two cases of tularemia in siblings presumably caused by contact with a rabbit killed by hunting dogs. Of special interest was the use of the rabbit's feet as good luck charms. Although appropriate measures can be taken to prevent this disease, such precautions are either not widely known or not strictly adhered to among those who hunt small game.
CASE REPORTS
An 8-year-old white boy (R. M.) from Memphis was referred to LeBonheur Children's Medical Center for evaluation of persistent fever.
Submitted on March 21, 1989