MICROBIAL DISEASES OF MAN AND ANIMALS. 627 



of the leucocytes. This microorganism is closely related to and possibly 

 identical with the bacterium of mouse septicaemia (Bact.murisepticum). 

 Preventive inoculation with attenuated cultures has long been practised 

 successfully in Europe. 



TUBERCULOSIS.* 

 Bacterium tuberculosis. 



Consumption, phthisis, scrofula, pearl disease, etc., are synonyms 

 of the term tuberculosis. 



This bacterium in its several varieties produces a very universal disease; 

 practically all common animals and man are subject to it. Cattle and 

 swine among the domestic animals are especially susceptible to this 

 infection and wild animals in captivity easily become affected. 



The normal progress of tuberculosis is slow. Its characteristic 

 feature is the tubercle or nodule of various sizes. 



Tuberculosis is probably the most common and serious of all diseases 

 for either animal or man. 



In 1906, 138,000 persons died from tuberculosis in the United States, 

 or at the rate of 164 per 100,000 population. Based upon these facts, 

 it is estimated that about 5,000,000 of those now living in the United 

 States will die of the disease. It is claimed that the disease alone costs 

 the United States from $400,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 each year (Fisher). 



If the loss from wage earnings, the cost of the patient in suffering, 

 medical treatment, medicines, nursing, board, and care, also the suffering 

 and sacrifice entailed by near relatives, friends, and communities are 

 considered, the loss to the country mentioned above does not appear so 

 enormous. 



It is estimated by the United States Bureau of Animal Industry that 

 2 per cent of hogs in the United States are tubercular, and that losses of 

 stock in the United States, due to tuberculosis, amount to $23,000,000 

 annually. Of 400,000 cattle tested in the United States 9.25 per cent 

 were tubercular. The highest prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle is 

 among pure bred herds and in city dairy stables; i.e., among the cattle 

 kept most closely confined. Tuberculous infection is quite generally 

 scattered among cattle of civilized nations. 



Tuberculosis appears in man usually in the form of lupus (tuberculosis 



* Prepared by M. H. Reynolds. 



