750 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



TUBERCULOSIS IN ITS RELATION TO THE 

 DAIRYING INDUSTRY.* 



By J. B. Weir. 

 History. 



That this disease lias been known to exist in tlie earlier ages of 

 the world there is abundant evidence, and of its prevalence throughout 

 the animal kingdom, as then known, there is equally convincing proof 

 from the fact that even in those ages there were enactments against 

 using the flesh of animals affected with it. The Mosaic law cautions 

 the Jewish people against the use as food of animals affected with 

 ^'wens/' (Friedberger, also Stockman). Later on in the history of 

 Europe in the ninth century, ecclesiastical laws forbade using the 

 flesh of such animals. During the middle ages, it was supposed to 

 be connected with human syphilis, and in consequence of this theory 

 of origin all tuberculous cattle had to be destroyed, and severe 

 penalties were enacted against the violation of the sanitary laws 

 (Frohner). 



Distribution. 



In so far as is known the disease is spread throughout the world, 

 and statistics prove that animals in the immediate vicinity of cities 

 suffer more than those in country districts. Next to man, it has been 

 found that milch cows are the most subject to it, and these latter, having 

 such a strain imposed on their vitality by continuous milk production, 

 are more prone to be affected than other classes of cattle. It has already 

 been stated that cattle in cities suffer more than those in country districts, 

 from the fact that they are for the most part housed, whereas in the 

 country the milch cows have very much more fresh air, and at the same 

 time their vitality has not been undermined to such an extent by pro- 

 ducing milk in such quantity or for so long a period without respite 

 as those in towns. Janson states that this disease is unknown in 

 the native cattle of Japan, but that cattle imported there or crossed 

 with the native breed contract the disease. Some German authorities 

 assert that in certain districts in that country, where care and atten- 

 tion is bestowed on the selection, breeding, and after-management of 

 the herd, that this ailment is unknown. Apart from such statements 

 as these, which in many cases lack confirmation, tuberculosis claims 

 its yearly roll of victims, and I am happy to state that I believe 

 Australia enjoys a premier position in respect to the percentage of 

 animals so affected. In our own State, where, as you are aware, the 

 dairying industry has within the past few years made such rapid 

 strides, the reports furnished by the officers of my branch point decidedly 

 to the fact that its occurrence is on the decrease. Statistics of other 



*A paper read at the Annual Meeting of the Butter and Cheese Factory Managers' 

 Association, May 20th, 1904. 



