CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 171 



Ions carcasses are seized the way is plaiu, but if a selection must be 

 made disputes will constantly arise over the interminable shades of dif- 

 ference in the various subjects. The delicacy of the question to be 

 pronounced upon in these cases would demand for each commune a vet- 

 erinarian exclusively devoted to the work of inspection, but this would 

 add considerably to the expense incurred. 



Turninjjto milk, it cannot be denied that boiling would give the re- 

 quired guarantee of safety ; but in the milk-cure establishments and 

 where this liquid is produced for infants, it is sought fresh and used 

 without boiling, and yet these places seek for the heaviest milkers, and 

 often secure tuberculous cows. For these, and indeed for all dairies, 

 there should be a State control of the milch animals and their products. 



In the present state of ])ublic oi:)inion it may be impossible to apply 

 measures that will be really effective in preventing the sale and use of 

 tuberculous meat and milk, yet, where already applied, the preventive 

 measures have proved so beneficial that we must advocate their main- 

 tenance and extension. It is encouraging to know that public opinion 

 is gnining on this matter, so that ere long more effective measures will 

 be sustained. 



The present difficulty resides in the inevitable imperfection of any 

 control of meat and milk by themselves, and that any i)ermanent sur- 

 veillance of the cattle without the concurrence of the owners will fur- 

 nish no guarantee commensurate with the gravity of the danger. 



The difliculties of the case will be largely met if the State icill deal 

 uith iubcrailosis in animals as ivith other contagious diseases. The owner, 

 well accustomed to the effects of the disease and practiced in weeding 

 out the consumption and sending them to market, can be called upon 

 to report all cases to the authority. The veterinarian can easily' diag- 

 nose the disease, or in the few uncertain cases can decide positively at 

 the autopsy. He can further, as in the case of glanders, maintain a 

 prolonged surveillance over the inmates of that stable, and above all 

 on those related by proximity or by blood to the animal slaughtered. 

 Thorough disinfection of stables, utensils, clothing of attendants, &c., 

 can be carried out. If the great majority of a herd are infected, the 

 apparently sound may be taken to another building. The diseased and 

 suspected njay be slaughtered at once or after a few weeks' fattening. 

 The sale of the milk and flesh of all tuberculous animals should be for- 

 bidden. Finiilly the owner can be indemnified for every beast confis- 

 cated. This alone will secure the (;o operation of the owner, without 

 which all efforts will be very partial and imperfect. 



In view of the insidious progress of the disease it is desirable even to 

 furnish an indemnity for the carcass of an animal found to be diseased 

 after slaughter. This will do more to check the clandestine sale of 

 tuberculous meat than the most rigid administrative control of the 

 abattoir and butchei^'s stall. 



This indemnity will remove all injurious pressure from the veterinary 



