No. 4.] 



CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 



503 



tirely accept these conclusions, and entertain no doubt as to the 

 value of tuberculin, provided the test is applied by a competent 

 veterinary surgeon, and that the tuberculin is of a trustworthy 

 quality. 



With regard to the prevalence of tuberculosis, they quote 

 the returns from slaughter houses in Leipzig, where there is 

 careful inspection of all animals slaughtered. In 1895 the 

 records are as follows : — 



KIND OF ANIMAL. 



Number 

 Slaughtered. 



Number 

 Tuberculous. 



Per Cent. 



Oxen, . 

 Heifers, 

 Cows, . 

 Bulls, . 



Totals, 



8,454 

 1,071 

 9,303 

 4,090 



22,918 



2,379 

 217 



4,048 

 975 



7,619 



28.14 

 20.35 

 43.51 

 23.83 



33.24 



As showing how much more prevalent the disease is in 

 some districts than others, they refer to a test of a herd of 

 90 cows in Cheshire, resulting in 70 reactions, all but 20 

 suffering from tubercular disease (77 per cent.). "Of six 

 herds in the same neighborhood, 63 per cent, were found 

 affected. On the other hand, a herd of 100 Jerseys in Sus- 

 sex was tested without obtaining a single reaction." 



With regard to meat inspection they refer to different 

 methods in different parts of the country, and then they 

 say: — 



The question then arises, Has such a stage of experience and 

 knowledge been attained, as to the nature of tuberculosis and the 

 effect of tuberculous meat upon the human consumer, as to enable 

 a uniform standard to be prescribed for the guidance of meat 

 inspectors? We believe that such a stage has been attained. 



Assuming that seizure of meat should be strictly confined to 

 such as is dangerous to human health, we entertain no doubt that 

 in certain places a great deal of meat is seized which is perfectly 

 safe and wholesome food. 



When, some years ago, tuberculosis in human beings and other 

 animals was first proved to be interchangeable, Ave think that an 

 exaggerated view was taken of the extent of the danger arising 



