CATTLE COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 191 



that any of them had been in contact with or infected by 

 cattle from abroad. To make the matter certain, one of the 

 sickest cows was appraised and slaughtered. Both lungs of 

 the animal were found packed and solidified with tubercles ; 

 but there was an entire absence of those peculiar tissue 

 characteristics always found in the contagious form of lung- 

 disease. The facts elicited by careful inquiry respecting the 

 history of the herd and its management satisfied the Com- 

 missioners that the disease was engendered on the premises. 

 There were about forty animals in all, practically in one 

 stable, and, except in the daytime in the summer season, they 

 had little exercise in the open air. Throughout the cold por- 

 tion of the year the stable was closed front and rear ; the barn- 

 doors were shut at all times ; and in the coldest weather the 

 temperature of the stable was maintained at between sixty 

 and seventy degrees, and practically no ventilation provided. 

 In all other respects the herd was cared for in the best 

 manner ; but, in the opinion of the Board, proper sanitary 

 conditions had been systematically disregarded for a long 

 time, and this was a sufficient cause for the condition of the 

 herd. The fact that this disease had been found in three or 

 four isolated localities within the last year has been the occa- 

 sion of much excitement and alarm by sensational statements 

 of its contagiousness. That it is so, the best authorities are 

 not agreed. Youatt, in his work on cattle published in 1840, 

 says, " Animals which exhibit decided symptoms of con- 

 sumption should be removed from the dairy, not because the 

 disease is contagious, but because it is undeniably heredi- 

 tary." Recent experiments have been made to test the 

 contagiousness of tuberculosis, both by inoculation and the 

 ingestion of tuberculous matter; and Fleming says, "The 

 facts elicited affirm that it may be thus communicated." 

 Several investigators in this direction have failed to produce 

 corroborating results, and others say that no results have 

 yet been reached of any value in this direction. 



The question of the contagiousness and virulence of tuber- 

 culosis is still under consideration, and further researches are 

 necessary to elucidate and establish certain important points 

 respecting it. We have, therefore, declined to consider it 

 within the intent of the law which prescribes our duties and 

 obligations. During the excitement occasioned by the sup- 



