DISEASES OF CATTLE. (ft 



the course of seventy-four hours, but the majority were ill for some 

 four or five days. The violence of the symptoms was in direct pro- 

 portion to the quantity of milk consumed. The suspected goats 

 were subjected to a careful examination by a veterinarian, but noth- 

 ing abnormal discovered. Their food was next critically examined, 

 and the following four poisonous plants were found in it : " conium 

 maculatum," " clematis vitalba," " colchicum autumnale," " plum- 

 bago Europea." An examination of the milk vomited by the sick 

 people revealed the presence of colchicum, which was looked upon 

 as the cause of the disturbance. 



Tuberculosis of Cattle. 



This disease of cattle, but especially the milch-cow, is now play- 

 ing a most sensational role in the discussions of hygienists, more 

 especially those of Germany. 



That the tendency or disposition to this disease is transmissible 

 from parents to offspring has been placed beyond all question by 

 the observation and experience of stock-raisers. This fact is also 

 well enough known, but by far too little appreciated, by human be- 

 ings with reference to their own race. 



Dr. Bowditch, of Boston, has clearly shown the influence which 

 long-continued residence in low, damp, unhealthy localities has upon 

 the generations of the older New England families in extending or 

 keeping alive this disease ; but the medical profession has been alto- 

 gether too silent with regard to hereditary influences. 



Mueller * says that, basing his opinion upon 988 cases of per- 

 sonal observation during the course of nine years, in 21*8 per cent 

 of the same the parents had also suffered from tubercular consump- 

 tion. This percentage increases to 28*6 per cent, if we take into 

 consideration the grandparents, brothers, and sisters. Other ob- 

 servers assume that thirty-eight per cent of the deaths from tuber- 

 cular consumption in human beings is due to hereditary influence. 

 If, as said, stock-raisers have learned a lesson from costly experience 

 in this regard, and are applying principles of selection or exclusion 

 in their breeding of animals, is it too late to apply like principles to 

 human beings ? 



Is it not high time that the principles of scientific breeding 

 should be applied by man to his own species? Beauty, form, 

 money, position, should all play their appropriate part in the selec- 

 tion of the partner for life by man or woman ; but, as the natural 

 result of marriage, as the result of being made male and female, is 



* " Inaugural Dissertation," Berne, 1876. 



