13 



" ist. That the tuberculin test is a wonderfully accu- 

 rate method of determining whether an animal is affected 

 with tuberculosis. 



" 2nd. That by the use of tuberculin the animals dis- 

 eased with Tuberculosis may be detected and removed from 

 the herds, thereby eradicating the disease. 



"3rd. That tuberculin has no injurious effect upon 

 healthy cattle. 



" 4th. That the comparatively small number of cattle 

 which have aborted, suffered in health, or fallen off in con- 

 ditions after the tuberculin test were either diseased before 

 the test was made, or were effected by somecause other than 

 the tuberculin. 



Dr. A. D. Melvil, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture, in the 24th 

 Annual Report, page 211, says, on the Reliability of theTuber- 

 culin Test: 



"There has been considerable incredulity with reference to 

 the tuberculin test, particularly among those opposed to the 

 movement to stamp out the disease, but the statements of such 

 persons should not be given serious consideration, except as 

 they may be the means of prejudicing the uninformed against 

 the tests. There is no more reliable diagnostic agent than 

 properly prepared tuberculin in the hands of the careful observer. 

 The reports received by the Bureau of Animal Industry from 

 the state oflBcials from all parts of the United States of tests 

 made by competent veterinarians absolutely confirm this state- 

 ment It is understood, of course, that tuberculin should 



be administered by a reliable veterinarian, and that in addition 

 to the test a physical examination should be made of the cattle. 

 That impotent tuberculin has been on the market is a fact 

 which has been demonstrated by the Bureau, and at its request 

 Congress gave to it authority to make tests of tuberculin, vac- 

 cines, and similar products found on the market, and to publish 

 results. Such tests are now being made, and if any inferior 

 agents are found public notice of the fact will be given. The 

 use of worthless tuberculin may to some degree have been the 

 means of prejudicing some veterinary practitioners, as well as 

 other persons, against the use of any tuberculin." 



