380 The Diseases of Animals 



1902, being first discovered in the New England states, 

 wliere it has been confined by rigid quarantine restric- 

 tions, prescribed by the general government and the 

 various states. A vigorous and apparently successful 

 effort is being made to stamp out the disease by 

 quarantine. Destruction of affected animals and thor- 

 ough disinfection, — these are the only methods that 

 have ever been effective ia dealing with this disease. 

 Diseased carcasses should be buried deep or burned. 

 Hides or wool should not be saved, nor should diseased 

 carcasses or milk from a diseased animal be fed to other 

 animals. Suspected cases should be at once reported. 



TUBERCULOSIS 



Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that may 

 attack any of the domestic animals, though it is found 

 mostly among cattle. In man, tuberculosis is commonly 

 known as consumption, and is one of the most serious 

 diseases that threaten the human race. 



The cause of tuberculosis is a germ or bacterium 

 known as Bacillus tuberculosis. The germs are always 

 present in the system of the animal having the disease. 

 Any condition which weakens the animal's system 

 lessens its power of resistance to this disease. As a 

 result of the drain upon the system due to the produc- 

 tion of large quantities of milk, tuberculosis is espe- 

 cially prevalent among dairy cows, and is one of the 

 most serious diseases that dairymen have to contend 

 with. It is rare among cattle native to the ranges of 

 the West. 



