TUBERCULOSIS. 85 



TUBERCULOSIS 



Tuberculosis or Consumption in cattle is an infectious and communicable disease 

 known by the formation in the glands and other parts of the body of small bunches 

 called tubercles. It is from these tubercles that the disease receives its name, Tuber- 

 culosis. The germs of tuberculosis enter the body by way of the nostrils in the air 

 breathed, or by way of the mouth or digestive tract in feed, seldom through the 

 genital organs by conception. As soon as the germs enter the body they begin to 

 multiply, slowly but surely, until the entire body of the animal becomes affected. Such 

 animals spread the disease to other animals stabled with them, and calves or pigs, 

 consuming milk from a tuberculous cow, are liable to become affected, as are human 

 beings. 



All germ diseases, and especially tuberculosis, are more liable to affect animals 

 that are in a run-down condition, such as cows afflicted with infectious abortion or 

 retained afterbirth, than those that are in a strong, healthy condition, for the reason 

 that the animal that lacks vitality acts as a hot-bed for the germs of diseases to 

 propagate or multiply in, while the healthy, strong, vigorous animal may ward off 

 the disease to some e-xtent. 



How to Prevent Tuberculosis. 



Tuberculosis, being largely an indoor disease, due to artificial life, such as being 

 housed or stabled, every possible precaution should be taken for its prevention and 

 spread. One tubercular cow, confined in a close, foul, hot, badly ventilated stable, 

 is liable to infect all the other cattle in the same enclosure. Even in the best of 

 barns where there exists any weakening disease among cattle, such as infectious 

 abortion, contagious mammitis, dysentery, or retained afterbirth, there is danger 

 of these affections inviting the entrance and spread of tuberculosis and consequent 

 destruction of the herd. To prevent and guard against this disease, the mainten- 

 ance of absolute cleanliness is necessary. 



Thoroughly Disinfect All Stables. 



Admit plenty of sunlight into your stock-barn, for it is the foe of germs. 

 Then you must have good ventilation to carry oft' the foul gases and allow fresh 

 air to enter. Sunshine, cleanliness, fresh air, pure water and appropriate feed 

 arc essential to success in the live-stock business. See page 91 regarding stock-barn. 



Detecting the Presence of Tuberculosis. 



By means of the tuberculin test it is an easy matter to tell whether tuberculosis 

 is present in a herd. It is the most reliable method of detecting tuberculosis, even 

 in its early stages. All herds should be tuberculin tested. Every animal in every 

 herd of cattle should be tested, as tuberculosis affects a herd to such an extent as to 

 render it unprofitable, although it may be the picture of health. 



The owner can easily and safely apply the test himself after receiving proper 

 instructions, instruments and a reliable tuberculin, which is a very important part of 

 the test. The test should be applied to a herd, and if any diseased animals are found, 

 they should be removed. The balance of the herd should be tested again in two 

 months. Repeat the test every two months, removing after each test all infected 

 cattle until all tuberculous animals are wiped out of the herd. The remainder of the 

 herd should then be tested every six months, or at least once a year, to be on the 

 safe side. At the same time, all cattle affected with contagious abortion or other 

 diseases should be treated until perfectly well, as they are in condition to attract 

 tuberculosis. 



