The Question Box. 387 



tirely harmless. Some of the signs of tuberculosis in an ad- 

 vanced stage, are dull^ watery eyes, languid appearance, degen- 

 erated appetite, a cough and a dry, hot feeling of the hair, etc. 



What is the cause of tuberculosis; and is it catching? 



Mr. Van Dreser. — I believe it is caused by a lack of constitu- 

 tional vigor. I know of whole families who have died of con- 

 sumption, but I do not believe it is catching; that is^ I do not 

 believe that a person perfectly healthy will catch tuberculosis — 

 consumption from one sick with it. 



Mr. Cook. — If you or I have a cow sick with tuberculosis, I think 

 it is our duty to kill and bury her, and not wait for some man 

 with a syringe to come around and puncture her, and then we ask 

 the State to pay for her. : 



To Dr. Smead. — What are the first symptoms of the disease called 

 tuberculosis? Is a cow troubled for some time before coughing begins? 



Answer. — There are two questions involved. The first symp- 

 toms of tuberculosis in cattle or in any other animal, are very 

 similar to those in the human. As a rule, at first is a general un- 

 thrifty appearance, which is followed by a cough. But the animal 

 may cough and not have it. The cough caused by the disease is 

 usually continuous and increases when the animal is hurried. 

 The next symptom is a craving appetite. These are the first prin- 

 cipal symptoms. The second part of the question — difficulty of 

 breathing — may not be a symptom. It may be caused by some 

 trouble in the nostril. One will have to investigate for the pur- 

 pose of ascertaining whether such difficulty is caused by lungs or 

 nostril disease. But, don't go away thinking that tuberculosis is 

 a new disease. It is more than 2,000 years old. If you have a 

 cow showing these symptoms don't imagine the whole herd is 

 diseased. One animal may have it only. If you find such a one, 

 quarantine it and give it the best of care and attention, and await 

 results. Call some capable veterinarian and abide by his advice. 

 If in time, the disease develops to such an extent that you are 

 eatisfied it has become chronic, slaughter and bury the animaL 



