THE TUBERCULIN TEST OF CATTLE FOR TUBERCULOSIS. 



857 



Direct experiments and observations collected by thousands show that 

 the tuberculin injections have no unfavorable effect. With healthy animals 

 the system is indifferent to the inoculation; with tuberculous animals it 

 causes only slight changes, which are not at all serious. 



Most of the objections to tuberculin would probably be removed if 

 some method of compensation for the reacting animals could be devised. 

 Thus, in Pennsylvania, where tuberculosis is being eradicated with more 

 success than in any other State, and where there are usually three times 

 as many voluntary requests on file for the application of the test as can 

 be made, all reacting animals are paid for by the State. As the suppres- 

 sion of tuberculosis is a public health measure, it would appear perfectly 



A VISIBLY TUBERCULOUS DAIRY COW. 

 Such cattle expel tubercle bacilli almost without exception with tiitjir feces 

 and with a material that is drolled, slobbered and sprayed from their mouths. 



logical for the State governments to reimburse cattle owners appropri- 

 ately for the animals condemned and slaughtered. Provision could be 

 made to pay 70 per cent of the appraised value of the condemned animals, 

 not to exceed $30 a head for common stock or $60 for registered stock. 

 Such legislation should also include a requirement for the testing of all 

 dairy and breeding cattle coming into the State. 



VI. Conclusions Regarding the Tuberculin Test. 



As a result of the careful study of the tuberculin test, Salmon draws 

 the following conclusions: 



