542 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the tuberculin test ; one-half to one-fourth compensation is to 

 be paid, according to circumstances. 



In presenting this bill, the minister explains that he desires 

 to encourage the owners of oattle to assist the authorities in 

 attempting to suppress a disease dangerous to human life, and 

 that the differences as to compensation are arranged accordingly. 



The city of Rome is putting in force regulations in relation 

 to the health of milch cows and other animals which supply 

 'milk to its residents, which provide, in substance, that — 



All milch cows and other animals which supply milk in the suburbs 

 and Agro Romano will be subjected to a rigorous examination by the 

 municipal surgeons. To this purpose notice of every animal intro- 

 duced into the Commune must be given to the health authorities 

 before the milk can be sold, and it is then placed under the inspection 

 of the veterinary surgeon. 



When the animal is healthy and capable of furnishing good milk, 

 it will be marked in the horn and a special license given to the owner. 

 These animals will be inspected every year, in the months of April, 

 May and June, and also on any other occasion that the authorities 

 may deem necessary. The cow suspected of tuberculosis will be 

 treated with tuberculin at the expense of the owners, and those 

 diseased will be slaughtered. 



These regulations have recently been extended to embrace all 

 the surrounding country, which will prevent the owners in 

 Rome proper from sending tuberculous cows into the adjoin- 

 ing country, where they might continue to be the source of milk 

 supply for the city. 



Numerous other quotations might be inserted of the doings 

 of public authorities and the opinions of experts upon the 

 matter of the reliability of tuberculin ; but a sufficient number 

 have been cited to show that everywhere it is the consensus of 

 opinion that in tuberculin a reliable diagnostic agent for the 

 detection of tuberculosis has been found, and that with its dis- 

 covery an entirely new phase has been put upon the problem of 

 the eradication of this disease in cattle, and with it the elimina- 

 tion of this source of danger to the public health. 



We assume, therefore, that tuberculin is a reliable agent for 

 the detection of bovine tuberculosis. 



The consideration of the question as to whether or not the 

 use of tuberculin accelerates the disease already existing in the 



