1909.] Circular Letter as to Tuberculosis. 



233 



4. In considering the question in relation to animals, the fact that 

 the disease is communicable to man by milk has a material bearing on 

 the measures to be adopted. Any action which results in the reduction 

 in the number of tuberculous bovine animals in the country must reduce 

 the risk of the spread of tuberculosis amongst the community, and if 

 it were possible to eradicate from this country the disease in animals, 

 a material step forward would have been taken in the campaign against 

 the disease in man. 



5. It is abundantly clear, at the same time, that any operations 

 aiming at the diminution or eradication of tuberculosis in animals must 

 be commenced with caution, and carried out with due regard to the 

 extent to which the disease is believed to exist amongst cows and the 

 importance of securing the continuance of an adequate milk supply, and 

 also of avoiding any disorganisation of the important industry con- 

 cerned. 



6. The Board have accordingly decided that their first endeavour 

 should be to secure the destruction of every cow found to be suffering 

 from tuberculosis of the udder, and also of all bovine animals which 

 are emaciated from tuberculosis, since these are known to disseminate 

 freely the germs of the disease. Any cow which is proved to be giving 

 tuberculous milk should also, in the opinion of the Board, be similarly 

 dealt with. By such means the Board conceive that a check will be 

 placed upon the spread of the disease, and the way cleared for any 

 future action which may, in the light of experience, be considered 

 necessary and practicable in the public interest. The Order accord- 

 ingly deals only with the forms of tuberculosis above set out. 



7. Local Authorities for the purposes of the Diseases of Animals 

 Acts are charged with the duty of investigating reports received under 

 Article 2 of the Order, with the assistance of a Veterinary Inspector, 

 with a view to causing the slaughter of any animal in their District 

 shown to be suffering from one of these specified forms of tuberculosis. 

 Under Article 3 of the Order the Veterinary Inspector will be able to 

 extend his examination to any bovine animals upon the premises that 

 have been associated with a suspected animal, in order that he may at 

 the same time take steps to deal with any other bovine animal which 

 in his opinion presents clinical symptoms of tuberculosis ; and for the 

 purpose of assisting him in his diagnosis as regards such animals he 

 may, but only with the written consent of the owner of the animal, 

 apply the tuberculin test to any such animal. Power is also given to 

 the Veterinary Inspector to take samples of milk and of faeces, urine, 

 and abnormal discharges, the intention being that he shall make use 

 of bacteriological methods for the purpose of diagnosis. 



8. The Local Authority are required by Article 4 of the Order to 

 cause every animal found by them to be diseased within the meaning of 

 the Order to be slaughtered. The animal to be slaughtered is to be 

 valued in its condition at the time of valuation. Inasmuch, however, 

 as the clinical diagnosis made by the Veterinary Inspector prior to 

 slaughter may not be confirmed on post-mortem examination, it is 

 provided in sub-section (3) of xArticle 5 of the Order that there shall be 

 separate valuations on the basis both of the animal proving to be 

 affected with tuberculosis and of its proving to be not so affected, and 



