XXX PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



recently died from tuberculosis, there was a very strong presump- 

 tion that more than one or two of the survivors must have become 

 infected, and the only hope of saving the yet healthy individuals 

 lay in being able to "weed out" these infected animals. Ordinary 

 clinical examination being then of little service, the case appeared 

 to be one eminently suitable for the employment of the tuberculin 

 test, which Lord Spencer promptly consented to have carried out. 

 The general result of the injection of tuberculin was truly startling, 

 for it appeared that not a single animal Avas free from the disease. 

 As a preliminary test of the accuracy of the indication afforded 

 by the tuberculin, two (2) of the animals, although in excellent 

 condition, but showing a more pronounced reaction in tempera- 

 t\ire, were killed, and on post-mortem examination a number of 

 tuberculous lesions were found. This discovery of tuberculosis 

 in two (2) of the healthiest looking animals indicated a most 

 serious degree of contamination of the herd, and Lord Spencer 

 accordingly decided to have the remaining animals slaiightered. 

 This was carried out, and a careful post-mortem examination 

 of each animal revealed the fact that every animal Avas affected 

 with some manifestation of tuberculosis, thus proving the abso- 

 lute certainty of tuberculin as an aid in the diagnosis of tubercu- 

 losis in cattle. 



Another exceedingly interesting experiment is that carried 

 out on the herd at the Atiriruhnnil K-rpcriniciitti} Stutloii in 

 Vermont, T.S.A., by F. A. Rich, State Veterinarian. The herd 

 consisted of 21 .Jerseys, 6 Ayrshires, and 6 Holsteins — 33 head 

 head altogether, including 3 bulls, 24 cows, and 5 calves. In 

 •January, 1894, Mr. Rich made a physical examination of the 

 herd, and found in two (2) cows symptoms which might be taken 

 for tuberculosis, and as it was suspected that some af the other 

 animals might be affected, it was decided to test the entire herd 

 with tuberculin, which was accordingly carried out, with the 

 result that the 3 bulls, 16 cows, and 2 calves, a total of 21 

 animals, being nearly 04 per cent, of the entire herd, reacted to 

 the tuberculin, and it is still more interesting to know that, 

 although most of the animals which reacted were in splendid 

 condition and giving a large supply of milk, they were ordered 

 to be slaughtered, and the post-mortem examination confirmed 

 the tuberculin test without exception. The remaining healthy 



