17 



employed against tuberculosis? It is of course to be understood 

 that we must inoculate the suspected lu'rd and separate the healthy 

 from the reacting animals. 



But what shall we do with the latter? In most European states a 

 compulsory and quick butchering of all these animals is out of the 

 question,^" the number of the reacting animals is so very large. In 

 France, the government will shortly place before the Chambers, a 

 bill planned by Nocard with the following provisions : All cattle 

 which show clinical signs of tuberculosis, and all which in addition 

 to suspicious clinical symptoms, show the tuberculin reaction, must 

 be butchered. One-fourth of the meat value is granted the owner in 

 case of confiscation. All cattle suspected of being contagious i. e., 

 such as have lived with tuberculous cattle, must be subjected to the 

 tuberculin test. The reacting animals must be butchered within one 

 year. If, during this period they show clinical proof of tuberculosis 

 they must be killed immediately. For the meat, when confiscated, 

 the owner receives half price, as meat, if the animal has shown no 

 clinical proof. Under special circumstances, the minister can grant 

 an extension of the observation period. 



France is a rich country and for that reason tulierculosis does not 

 appear to be widely spread there. This method may be practicable 

 in France, but in most other countries its execution would be scarcely 

 conceivable. But I consider the requirement of killing the reacting 

 cattle within a year's time too rigorous, at least in countries in which 

 cattle are chiefly held for milk production. The large majority of 

 reacting animals, are indeed, only slightly tuberculous. According to 

 my Thurebylille observations thej' can remain for years fully capable 

 of accomplishing their work, and with many of them, the tuberculosis 

 probably remains wholly localized for the entire life or even a cure 

 may take place. Whj', therefore, should the owner be required to- 

 butcher perhaps a hundred of his best cows? lu milk producing 

 countries it has long been attempted to establish a race of great 

 milkers. In recent years particular attention with us has been paid 

 to breeding only from such cows as furnisshed milk with a high per- 

 centage of fat. It has been done because this most valuable quality 

 seemed to be hereditary. Should now the work thus accomplished 



47. Ill the North American State of Massachusetts, such a plan was really set on 

 foot in the year 18'.U. The aim was to test all the animals with tuberculin, and to 

 kill those which reacted. All cattle imported from other states were to be held in 

 quarantine until the tuberculin test could be made on them. (Report of the board 

 of Cattle Commissioners, Mass., S. M. Fadyean. Journal of Comp. Path. Therap.,. 

 June 1895.) W^hether or not this drastic measure can really be carried out is a 

 question. 



