316 
Tuberculosis hi Animals, and 
glands are free and no softening of the tubercular deposits has 
taken place, and when the animal is in a good state of nutrition. 
The result of the inquiry into the existence and extent of 
tuberculosis in Victoria in 1884-85 was that, while the Board 
considered the flesh of some tuberculous animals should be 
condemned, that of others less extensively diseased might be 
allowed to pass into consumption. They also came to the con- 
clusion that the milk of tuberculous cows must be regarded as 
infective when the udder is involved or when the disease is 
generalised throughout the body. The Board recommended 
that tuberculosis in cattle should be declared by the Governor 
in Council to be a contagious or infectious disease for the pur- 
poses of the Diseases in Stock Act of 1872 ; and that no com- 
pensation should be paid to owners for the compulsory slaughter 
of tuberculous cattle. 
In 1887 a decree was passed in France including tuberculosis 
in cattle among the contagious diseases under regulation in 
that country. France is, however, the only country in which 
tuberculosis has been legislated for as a disease of animals, and 
there only to the extent of isolating tuberculous cattle and 
placing them under supervision. Restriction on their movement 
is provided for, so that they can only be taken to a slaughter- 
house. If found in a fair or market, the tuberculous animal is 
not seized and destroyed, but may, at the owner's request, be 
taken back to the commune whence it came, or, if the owner 
prefer it, the animal may be slaughtered in the place where the 
fair is held. 
It has frequently within the past few years been urged on 
our Government, by local authorities and medical officers, that 
tuberculosis should be included in the list of diseases within the 
meaning of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Acts* These 
representations have always been made in the interest of public 
health, based on the plea that tuberculous meat and milk were 
dangerous if consumed as food. 
In 1888 a Departmental Committee under the chairmanship 
of Sir Jacob Wilson was appointed by the Privy Council to 
inquire into pleuro-pneumonia and tuberculosis in cattle in this 
country. After hearing evidence with regard to the latter from 
medical officers of health, scientists, veterinary surgeons,- and 
stock-owners, the Committee arrived at the conclusion that 
tuberculosis should be included as a disease under certain sections 
of the Acts, so as to provide : — 
(ti.) For the slaughter of diseased animals, when found 
diseased on the owner's premises. 
(/>.) For the payment of compensation for the slaughter of 
such animals. 
