1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 339 



given this discussion in full, as reported, because it covers the 

 most important points of the theory of tuberculous consumption, 

 — its causes, and, so far as possible, its prevention. The causes 

 definitely agreed upon are : predisposition, unhealthy modes of 

 life, and excesses. The alimentary causes are left still on debat- 

 able ground. The theory of contagion by the dried particles of 

 sputa evidently leads the investigator to the conclusion that the 

 disease is conveyed to the milk of the cow by the contact of her 

 mouth with her udder when she is diseased. The transmission of 

 bacilli through the lacteal glands is left in doubt by these scientists ; 

 and the transmission of the disease by bacilli in the flesh of the 

 animal is apparently not exactly determined in their minds. It is 

 predisposition — a tendency to scrofula — which evidently accounts 

 to them for a large part of the existing disease, and which is 

 created by bad breeding and low feeding, especially when added 

 to the ill effects of exposure to cold, and low, damp localities. 

 These two causes may operate on the animal system as they do on 

 the human system ; and as, in the latter, families are found who 

 have a tendency to tuberculosis, so, in the former, breeds of cattle 

 are well known to be especially subject to the disease, on account 

 of their delicate and unhealthy constitutions. 



The question of the contagion of tuberculosis is entitled to, 

 and is receiving, the most careful and wide-spread scientific 

 investigation, pathologically and economically. That it is still 

 open, the refusal to accept the milk and meat theories by the 

 Swiss investigators, the doubts expressed by Dr. Ranch, the 

 fortunate reduction of tuberculous disease in those communities 

 where care in regimen and modes of living are exercised, while the 

 use of beef and milk continues, are sufficient evidence. It is 

 gratifying to know that Massachusetts has entered upon this 

 investigation with a determination to reach a well-founded con- 

 clusion on a subject which involves the health of its citizens and 

 the prosperity of one of its most important industries. 



George B. Loring. 



