1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 401 



times found in milk drawn from presumably healthy udders. 

 This renders the subject still more serious to consumers of milk. 

 There is now no question but that the flesh or milk of a tuber- 

 culous cow, if taken without thorough cooking, may carry the 

 disease to such as partake of it. The important questions are, 

 What are the chances ? and What can be done to avoid or lesson 

 the danger? 



The Cattle Commissioners during the past few years have 

 received numerous notifications of suspected tuberculosis, and 

 appeals for assistance in stamping out the disease from iufected 

 herds or localities ; but thus far they have not seen their way clear 

 for very vigorous action. The cattle disease law was enacted for 

 the special purpose of stamping out contagious pleuro-pneumonia 

 when it raged in Massachusetts thirty years ago. That is a 

 disease that can be eradicated effectually only by the destruction 

 of all infected animals, and also all healthy ones that may have 

 been exposed to infection by coming within the presence of such 

 as are diseased. Under these circumstances, animals in perfect 

 health, to the value of many thousands of dollars, had to be killed 

 and sold for beef ; and, to partially indemnify cattle owners, it 

 became necessary, in executing the law, to cause an appraisement 

 of the animals, and the payment of their appraised value from the 

 public treasury. Subsequently the Cattle Commissioners were 

 given jurisdiction over cases of glanders in horses, and contagious 

 diseases in any other domesticated animals ; and for a number of 

 years horses condemned for glanders were appraised and paid for 

 at rates that not infrequently offered an inducement to horse 

 owners to apply to State authorities for a market for such worth- 

 less stock. Although a later act discontinued the appraisal of 

 glaudered horses, the phraseology of the original statute was 

 retained till the general revision of the law in 1887, when the 

 Commissioners, if in their judgment the circumstances of the case 

 and the public good required it, were given power to cause to be 

 killed and buried any domestic animals which are infected with, 

 or have been exposed to, a contagious disease ; and, if they are 

 satisfied that the disease has been contracted by intention or 

 through negligence of owners or persons in their employ, or by 

 feeding food liable to contain the germs of disease, it becomes the 

 duty of the Commissioners to destroy without an appraisal. Ex- 

 actly how the term " negligence" would be construed, or whether 

 due care would mean the inspection by a competent veterinarian 

 of every animal purchased in the open market, are questions that 

 have not as yet been answered in our courts of justice. 



But a careful study of the character of tuberculosis has con- 



