MICROBIAL DISEASES OF MAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS 779 



(Bad. murisepticum). Preventive inoculation with attenuated cul- 

 tures has long been practised successfully in Europe. 



TtTBERCULOSIS* 



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 thfe 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 may 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 suffer- 

 ing 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 prior to 1908 

 9.25 per cent were tubercular. The highest prevalence of tuberculosis, 

 in cattle is among pure bred herds and in city dairy stables; «'.e., among 

 the cattle kept most closely confined. It is most common in old cattle 

 and rare in calves under six months old. Tuberculous infection is quite ^ 

 generally scattered among cattle of civilized nations. 



* Prepared by M. H. Reynolds. 

 t I9II- 



