OLEOMAEGAKINE. 49 



"The principal conclusions follow: When properly prepared, mar- 

 garin differs but little from, natural butter in chemical and physical 

 properties. On an average 93.5 to 96 per cent of fat was assimilated 

 when margarin was consumed and 94 to 96 per cent when butter formed 

 part of the diet. The moderate use of margarin did not cause any dis- 

 turbance of the digestive tract." 



I also submit the report of the Illinois live-stock commission inves- 

 tigation regarding tuberculosis. It is as follows: 



"We have before us the fourteenth annual report of the State board 

 of live-stock commissioners for the year ending October 31, 1899, and 

 in addition there is a bulletin devoted to the question of tuberculosis 

 and the tuberculin test, containing a full statement of every tuberculin 

 test conducted by the board during the year. In connection therewith 

 also excerpts from the writings of scientific investigators with rela- 

 tion to the nature of tuberculosis, its contagion and methods of trans- 

 mission. It also contains the report of the College of Physicians and 

 Surgeons of Chicago upon the milk taken from 41 cows that had reacted 

 under the tuberculin test, with a view of ascertaining what percentage 

 of the milks under investigation contained or transmitted tubercule 

 bacilli. The report shows that tuberculo bacillio were found to exist 

 in the milk of 16 different animals out of the 41, or over 39 per cent. 

 The conclusions of the scientific investigators in charge of this experi- 

 ment were as follows : 



"First. Prolonged searching of the concentrated milk from cows 

 showing tuberculosis, but with sound udders, will reveal bacilli in 

 about 35 per cent of the cases. 



i 'Second. Bacilli are found with about equal frequency in the sediment 

 and in the cream. 



"Third. This milk, when concentrated, will produce tuberculosis in 

 the guinea pig in about 25 per cent of the cases. 



"Fourth. Not much dependence can be put on the physical appearance 

 of the milk in cases where the udder is not demonstrably involved. 



"Fifth. While the large number of cases in which pus cells were found 

 in the milk would indicate that there was beginning involvement of the 

 udder, there is no question but what the search for lesions in these 

 udders was far more careful than will ever be possible on the living 

 cow, and therefore the udder appearances can not be accepted as a safe 

 guide. 



"The report also shows that during the period from May 17 to Novem- 

 ber 1, 1899, the board tested with tuberculin 3,651 dairy and breeding 

 cattle of all ages, of which number 500, or 15.32 per cent, were con- 

 demned or destroyed and 41 were isolated or held for retest. 



4 ' In several cases which the board investigated there was positive 

 proof of the transmission of the disease through the milk to the calves. 

 The board also gives an account of the official investigation and test of 

 the herd of Mr. H. B. Gurler, of De Kalb, 111. 



"He began testing for tuberculosis in 1895, and all the cattle that 

 reacted were destroyed and the premises were thoroughly disinfected. 

 Since that date the dairy has been conducted on strictly sanitary regu- 

 lations; and, also, animals for the dairy are tested b^y the tuberculin test 

 and all that successfully passed the test were admitted to his herd. 

 Tests were also carried on during the years 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1899. 

 None of them were found to be affected, excepting during the 1899 test 

 some calves were found to be affected. As there were no other ani- 

 S. Rep. 2043 4 



