I08 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



errors are 2)rincipalh' in the other direction — that is, some 

 tuberculous animals are not discovered by the tuberculin test; 

 but as the most dangerous of these may be picked out by ordi- 

 nary clinical examination, this fault of tuberculin is not so seri- 

 ous as it at first sight appears. This being the case, it should not 

 be necessary to force the tuberculin test upon cattle owners. They 

 should be anxious to adopt it in their own interests and for the 

 protection of their patrons. There is today no greater danger 

 to the cattle and hog industries than that which confronts them 

 in the form of tuberculosis, a disease already wide-spread and 

 rapidly extending. Without the use of tuberculin it would be 

 impossible to control this disease, and the farmer and stock- 

 raiser would be at its mercy. With tuberculin its control is not 

 a difficult matter, and badly affected herds may be converted 

 into healthy herds in a few years, and without very serious loss 

 or hardship. Tuberculin is, therefore, a great boon to the 

 farmer — one of the most beneficial scientific discoveries of 

 modern times. 



Some cattle owners have been prejudiced against the tuber- 

 culin test by incorrect or greatly exaggerated statements as to 

 damage caused to cattle by the injection of tuberculin. Some 

 of these statements have been based upon attacks of illness in 

 no way connected with the tuberculin test. 



Many persons have in recent years studied the effects of 

 tuberculin as they have been revealed by tests covering vast 

 numbers of animals, and in the present uncertain condition of 

 the public mind in this country on the subject it is advisable to 

 quote the conclusions of some of the best authorities. 



Paige said, after the tests of the herds of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College, that "Its use is not followed by any ill 

 eft'ects of a serious or permanent nature." 



Lamson, of the New Hampshire College Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, said, "There is abundant testimony that its use 

 is not in any way injurious to a healthy animal." 



From the investigations and observations that have been men- 

 tioned it may be safely concluded : 



(j) That the tuberculin test is a wonderfully accurate method 

 of determining whether an animal is affected with tuberculosis. 



(2) That by the use of tuberculin the animals diseased with 

 tuberculosis may be detected and removed from the herd, there- 

 by eradicating the disease. 



