124 Bureau of Faumers' Institutes. 



tain age, there flourished an idea quaint, queer, but unstable, that 

 certain diseases of animals could be diagnosed by certain animal 

 poisons being injected into their delicate composition, but with the 

 advance of the light of truth, this idea, fantastic and amusing, 

 fell by the wayside and was lost sight of in the onward march of 

 the science of medicine. 



No one wishes to partake of meat from animals diseased or 

 sick. The health of the nation is at stake, and in no way can 

 the disease-breeding material gain an easier entrance into the 

 system, than with the food. But every cow is not afflicted 

 with tuberculosis. While it is a frequent bovine ill, it is not a 

 necessary complement to their composition. Of all the domestic 

 animals, the cow is probably the least understood. Veterinarians 

 do not devote to her the attention that her importance demands. 

 The animal most vitally interested with human existence is left 

 to the care of those who understand almost nothing of her ways 

 or wants. She is kept in filth, is fed with filth, and her very sur- 

 roundings breed the disease we try in vain to cure. 



How will we eradicate tuberculosis? It is a subject that in- 

 terests not only the veterinarian, but the physician, the farmer — 

 the universe. We will answer the question by saying how the 

 disease will not be exterminated. It will not disappear as long 

 as the dirty, filthy cow shed remains. It can be bred into animals 

 by the manner of their surroundings. The cow requires good air, 

 light and ventilation, in place of the dark, stuffy pest holes, 

 where she is usually confined. She must have competent attend- 

 ants, instead of the brutal, worthless, repulsive degenerates, usu- 

 ally entrusted with her care. She must receive good, wholesome 

 food, in place of refuse. She must be cleaned, exercised and 

 manipulated with the care and delicacy that her complex mechan- 

 ism demands and should receive. When the cow is properly kept, 

 tuberculosis will disappear. When we thoroughly understand 

 her ways and necessities, instead of injecting into her system 

 products of disease — a notion whimsical, irrational and danger- 

 ous — we will have learned that this disease is an ill for which 

 man's ignorance and mismanagement is largely responsible. By 



