FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE 165 



the consequences noted. Experiments by inoculation 

 were also made. Rabbits and guinea pigs were treated 

 in like manner. During the first season, the under- 

 taking was in sole charge, as regards the scientific part 

 of it, of Dr. Austin Peters, a veterinarian of the first 

 reputation, and in 1888 Dr. Harold C. Ernst, of the 

 Harvard College medical school, was appointed as 

 bacteriologist to the society. The experiments with 

 animals ceased on July 1, 1890, and the laboratory 

 experiments on January 1 , 1891. The total cost to the 

 society at that time had been $22,124.12. The results 

 were ultimately published in a report, but the first use 

 made of them v^^as to bring the facts ascertained to the 

 attention of a committee of the Legislature of the 

 year 1891. These facts were confirmatory of opinions 

 held by many medical men in this country and in 

 Europe, that the germs of tuberculosis are conveyed 

 by the milk of cows into the human system, and retain 

 their vitality, and so cause, in part, prevalent tuber- 

 culosis diseases in the community. Evidence was 

 given to show that the bacillii (germs of the disease) 

 in cows diseased, only elsewhere than in the udder, 

 were liable to find their way into the milk product. 

 The legislation desired was not obtained at that ses- 

 sion, but the effect has been manifest in a report to the 

 present Legislature, from the Board of Agriculture, 

 and in other places. 



The various items of expenditure which have been 

 given in the foregoing pages have been intended only 

 to indicate in a general way, the direction of the 

 society's efforts at different periods, and the magni- 

 tude of certain enterprises undertaken by its trustees 

 or agents, or by others acting for the time under its 

 supervision or patronage. The figures fall far short 

 of the total outlay in the society's field of activity, 



