No. G. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 127 



and they show that the bovine bacillus is the cause of a varying 

 amount of disease. Of six fatal cases of tuberculosis of children 

 studied bacteriologically by Ravenel in Philadelphia, three were 

 found to be infected with a tubercle bacillus of the bovine type. 



Similar studies have been made by a great many individuals, by 

 an English Royal Commission and by a Committee of Investigators 

 appointed by the Imperial Health Office of Germany. These investi- 

 gations have shown beyond question that tuberculosis of man may be 

 caused by the tubercle bacilli of the bovine type. The proportion 

 oif the cases in which this germ is found carries considerably; of 

 the German cases one-seventh and of the English cases about one- 

 third were caused by bacilli of bovine type. Itmwst be remembered, how- 

 ever, that the number of studies that have been made in this direc- 

 tion is not yet sufficient to justify one in drawing any conclusions 

 as to the actual frequency of the infection of the human being with 

 bovine tubercle bacilli. The clearly established and important point 

 is that the same kind of tubercle bacillus that produces disease in 

 cattle may also produce disease in man. Upon this point there 

 appears to be no room for difference of opinion. 



Abortion. This widespread scourge of breeding herds has been 

 less complained of during the past year than during preceding years, 

 Reports of the occurrence of abortion and the requests for advice 

 are met by furnishing a circular as printed in the report for 1904, 

 giving instructions for treating this disease and by furnishing addi- 

 tional special information as may be needed. Herd owners are 

 learning that loss from this disease is not unavoidable and that it 

 may be prevented at comparatively small cost, excepting the watch- 

 fulness and the work that are necessary to single out the afflicted 

 animals and administer to them, the required treatment; in other 

 words, instead of accepting losses from this disease, and instead of 

 becoming completely discouraged and selling herds afflicted with 

 abortion and thus spreading the disease widely, it has become the 

 custom to treat afflicted animals in accordance with the instructions 

 furnished, and in this way they are saved. 



Actinomycosis. This disease, commonly known as "lumpy 

 jaw," is caused by a fungus of the genus Actinomyces, that is be- 

 lieved to grow upon vegetation and to infect cattle from their food. 

 The disease is not known to be directly transmissible by contact, 

 as between members of a herd. On this account, actinomvcosis has 

 never been dealt with by quarantine, appraisement and condemna- 

 tion as virulent infectious diseases are dealt with. The Board is, 

 however, frequently requested to take action with regard to this 

 disease. Such .requests come not only from the owners of afflicted 

 animals, but also from neighbors of such owners and representa- 

 tives of local boards of health. While there is no evidence to indi- 

 cate that the organism that causes actinomycosis may be excreted 

 through the milk, unless the udder is involved in this disease, as 

 occurs excessively rarely, still it is well to follow- the general prin- 

 ciple that only healthy animals shall be used for the production of 

 milk for human consumption. The best way of disposing of animals 

 afflicted with actinomycosis, if they are in fair condition of flesh, 

 is to slaughter them in a slaughter house subject to inspection by a 

 veterinarian. If the disease is confined wholly to the jaw or head, 

 the head must be condemned, but it is not necessary in such cases to 



