400 BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



property of tuberculin, to which we have already referred, 

 was discovered. In view of the manifold difficulties and errors 

 which arose with the use of the physical test, it does not seem 

 to be a oood aro;ument to sav that tuberculin should not be 

 used as a test because it is occasionally found to cause an error 

 in the diagnosis ; nor should this fact, if fact it be, be allowed 

 to interfere with its general use in proper hands, as a means 

 of identifying tuberculous animals. Any intelligent man must 

 readily agree with the commission in thinking that it is better 

 that an occasional animal which is free from the disease should 

 be destroyed (as the law provides that when an animal is de- 

 stroyed, and is found, upon post-mortem examination, to be free 

 from the disease for which it was condemned, the owner shall 

 receive a reasonable sum from the Commonwealth) than that 

 many of those having the disease should be allowed to live to 

 sow the germs of this incurable disease broadcast, not only 

 among others of their kind, but among human beings. There 

 is no doubt whatever that very many of the errors which have 

 been charged to tuberculin should rather be placed to the lack 

 of experience, errors in judgment, or the occasional careless- 

 ness of those making the tests. This is to be expected. It is 

 an inseparable condition attending the situation, which, as the 

 experience ripens and extends, will become a factor of less and 

 less importance, because it will be of less frequent occurrence, 

 and should be thoroughly considered before attempting to ar- 

 rive at the conclusion that the remedy is valueless. 



Before leaving the subject of tuberculin and its application 

 in the field as a means of determining the existence of tubercu- 

 losis, it may be of value in this connection to consider some of 

 the objections which have been raised against it. 



The commission is not unmindful of the fact that the a})plica- 

 tion of this test to the extent that it has been used in Massa- 

 chusetts is comparatively new, that it has been used in localities 

 throughout the State more or less scattered, and where the com- 

 munities have not followed closely the several steps which have 

 led up to its adoption, and they are, therefore, not surprised 

 that its introduction into general use has met with diverse 

 opinions as to its merits. The commission, however, is very 

 glad to say that, as a whole, its adoption has met with popular 

 approval ; that by far the greater number of criticisms have 



