82 ANNUAL REPORT. OF THfc Oft. Doc. 



In regard to disposing of cattle that react to the tuberculin test, 

 and that may not with safety be kept with healthy cattle, there has 

 recenly been inaugurated an important change in our method of pro- 

 cedure. The method originally provided for the State Livestock 

 Sanitary Board was to condemn and render into fertilizer, or com- 

 pletely destroy-, the carcasses of animals infected with tuberculosis 

 in any degree. This method of procedure is more expensive than is 

 warranted by the sanitary necessities of the case. It has long been 

 known that the flesh of animals infected with local tuberculosis does 

 not contain tubercle bacilli, and sanitarians agree that it may safely 

 be used for food. I have long been convinced of the truth of the 

 above statement and have often recommended the adoption of a sys- 

 tem whereby cattle found to be tuberculous, and which cannot eco- 

 nomically be kept apart from other cattle (under the condition that 

 their milk shall be pasteurized before being used) and which it is 

 decided to destroy, may be killed in a slaughter-house, subject to 

 competent inspection, so that the flesh may be condemned or used, 

 according to the condition found. Under the Act of Assembly ap- 

 proved March 25, 1903, it became possible to adopt this system. In 

 order that it should be put in operation with every necessary safe- 

 guard, a commission of eminent sanitarians was appointed to study 

 the whole problem and draw up a set of rules for the guidance of 

 meat inspectors in disposing of the carcasses of tuberculous cattle. 

 This commission will issue a formal report giving the results of its 

 studies of the problems in all of its bearings, including a detailed 

 statement as to the scientific ground w'ork upon which are based the 

 rules, for meat inspection recommended by it. In advance of the 

 publication of this report, the rules recommended by the commission, 

 together with a brief statement of principles upon which they are 

 formed, have been approved by the State Livestock Sanitary Board, 

 and are now in operation. The principles and rules follow: 



PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THE RULES ARE BASED. 



In general: 



A. The entire carcass shall be condemned: 



1. When lesions of tuberculosis exist in the musculature or in other struc- 



tures that may readily be eaten with the flesh, and when it is not 

 evident that the lesions are purely local and may be completely re- 

 moved. 



2. When there is evidence that tubercle bacilli have been carried by the 



blood. 



3. When there are extensive and acutely progressive lesions, even though 



they be local. 



4. When there is evidence of tuberculous intoxication. 



B. An organ or a part of a carcass shall be condemiued. 



1. When it contains a lesion of tuberculosis. 



2. When it contains, has been attacked by or has been contaminated with 



tubercle bacilli. 



C. The carcass shall be passed, after the tuberculous organs or parts are 



removed, only when 



(a) there is no evidence or reason to believe that tubercle bacilli have 

 passed beyond the parts locally and not extensively affected, (b) 

 when the meat is uncontaminated by the presence of proximity of a 

 lesion and (c) when there is no evidence that the general health of 

 the animal was disturbed. 



