14 



his advice were found diseased at this time ; but, acting upon his 

 suggestions as to disinfection, ventilation, etc., no further trouble 

 was experienced until the winter of 1890-91, during which we 

 slaughtered nine animals in the early stages of this disease. Since 

 that winter we have had occasional cases, but in no single season as 

 many. Still, it appears to be impossible to eradicate the disease in 

 •our present stable. That it is greatly aggravated by the breathing 

 of impure air cannot be doubted. The disease makes no progress as 

 a rule in summer, when our animals have pure air. It is impossible 

 to give them such air in our stable as at present arranged with the 

 -cellar for manure below. It is imperative that we have a barn con- 

 structed in such a manner as to secure better hygienic conditions. 

 With such conditions we may yet have occasional cases of tubercu- 

 losis for a time, for the disease is everywhere among New England 

 cattle, and it is most insidious in its approaches ; but. having per- 

 fect sanitary conditions, I should confidently anticipate controlling 

 it, — keeping it within very narrow limits from the first, and perhaps 

 ultimately eradicating it from our herd." 



The writer becoming connected with the ct^llege shortly :ifter the 

 examination of the cattle b}' Dr. J^aw is fully aware of the details of 

 the disinfection of the stable. The parts occupied b}' animals were 

 several tiuies thoroughly treated with lime whitewash and strong 

 corrosive sublimate solution. This was ajjplied to all parts of the 

 walls by the use of brushes. Chloride of lime and saturated solu- 

 tions of crude carbolic acid were applied to all parts of the floors and 

 mangers and other fixtures of the building. This process was occa- 

 sionall}' repeated by advice of the writer after assuming the position 

 of veterinarian in the college. 



Realizing at the time the importance of a liberal supply of fresh 

 air and its relation to the preservation of the health of animals and 

 the absolute necessity of it in combating this disease, as thorough 

 ventilation as the existing circumstances permitted, was procured. 

 And this with good results, for after the slaughter of thirteen animals 

 during the years 1.S91 and 1892 hardly a case developed sufticiently 

 marked symptoms to render a diagnosis of tuberculosis possible by 

 physical examination. And still we are led to believe from the 

 autopsy made at the time of slaughter later on, that many of the 

 animals must have been slightly affected prior to this period. 



At the time of the examination of the animals by Dr. Law and for 

 some time after, nothing was known in this country of the use Of 

 tuberculin as a diajjuostic agent of this disease and we had couti- 



