150 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



positive class is one in which the animal is judged to have given a 

 positive reaction but no lesions found upon post mortem examina- 

 tion. It should be remembered that the usual post mortem examina- 

 tion of cattle is macroscopical and not microscopical. It is not 

 made primarily to determine whether or not the animal was tuber- 

 culous; but to determine the availability of the meat for food. If 

 tlie lesions of tuberculosis are microscopical in size or located in the 

 meninges, bone marrow, intramuscular spaces or other places which 

 are inaccessible for gross autopsy, they will not be found and an 

 apparent failure will be scored against the test. Other apparent 

 failures of this class may have been caused by the application of the 

 test when the animal was not in proper physical condition to re- 

 ceive it. An animal should not be tested during periods of sexual 

 excitement; when in advanced pregnancy; shortly after parturition; 

 when in a feverish condition; or when any physical cause or condi- 

 tion of environment would tend to irregularities of temperature. 



A negative failure is one in which a tuberculous animal is judged 

 to have passed a successful test. Failures of this nature are not 

 discovered unless the animal is retested or slaughtered within a 

 short time. They may be attributed to any of the four causes pre- 

 viously mentioned, but in many instances of this nature which we 

 have investigated, it was found that faulty technique or carelessness 

 in application was probably the real cause. In other instances there 

 were reasons to suspect intentional tampering to defeat the object 

 of the test. After all, we must concede that there are a few cases of 

 apparent failures which cannot be satisfactorily explained, but when 

 we consider the remarkable accuracy and good results attained it 

 is evident that the tuberculin test is a most valuable agent in con- 

 trolling and eradicating bovine tuberculosis. 



The ocular and intradermal methods of applying the tuberculin 

 test have not as yet come into general use, but are largely used to 

 corroborate the results of the subcutaneous method, especially in 

 cases of doubtful reactions. 



For a number of years it has been customary for the State Live- 

 stock Sanitary Board to extend financial assistance to owners of 

 cattle which have reacted to the tuberculin test. The funds appro- 

 priated for this purpose have never been equal to the demand. About 

 July 1st, 1914, the available fund had been depleted to such an extent 

 that it was necessary to place restrictions upon the payment of in- 

 demnity. Early in November the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease 

 brought the work of tuberculin testing to a close and it was not 

 resumed until June, 1915. For these reasons the number of cattle 

 tested, both native and interstate, Avas somewhat less than the pre- 

 ceding years. The following tables comprise a summary of the two 

 years' work: 



