FIFTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION 117 



tuberculosis also by eating parts of the carcasses of infected 

 cattle, swine, or poultry. Other sources of contamination 

 are infected sputum from human beings, and the feeding of 

 uncooked garbage containing the germs of tuberculosis. 

 Tuberculous swine, like diseased cattle, may also infect 

 one another. 



Symptoms of Tuberculosis. 



It must be understood that tuberculosis is a disease 

 which often gives no indication of its presence by external 

 symptoms. Yet persons skilled and experienced in dealing 

 with the disease among animals frequently are able to de- 

 tect certain abnormal conditions which lead them to pro- 

 nounce the animal as probably affected with tuberculosis. 

 A generally run-down condition, accompanied with a cough, 

 is often considered to be an indication of tuberculosis but 

 is not a conclusive symptom. When tuberculosis is suspect- 

 ed it is always advisable to apply the tuberculin test with- 

 out delay. 



As the disease often involves the lymphatic glands in 

 various parts of the body, an examination of such glands 

 as can be felt in the living animal is sometimes helpful in 

 diagnosing the disease. The glands of the throat, udder 

 and point of the shoulder often present an abnormal condi- 

 tion, such as an enlargement or hardening, as shown in fig- 

 ure 4. Animals affected with tuberculosis in advanced 

 stages often show a "staring" coat and a generally un- 

 thrifty condition. When the throat glands of an animal are 

 affected, it often holds its head in an abnormal position in 

 order to relieve the pressure which causes difficult breath- 

 ing. Increased respiration is often noted when the lungs or 

 lymphatic glands of the thoracic cavity are affected. When 

 some of the glands of that cavity are extensively diseased, 

 the animal often develops bloat. Diarrhea is often evident 

 in some cases in which infection has extended to abdominal 

 cavity. The symptoms mentioned, though typical, must not 

 always be expected when animals are tuberculous; animals 

 that are extensively diseased are often in apparently per- 

 fect physical condition. 



