Nov. 1, 1893.] Supplement to the " Tropical Agriculturist." 
357 
depends on the quality and quantity of the food 
which is given to the cows four or five hours 
before milking. "If the supply 6i food given 
in the day time be good and plentiful, and that 
furnished in the evening be uunutritions and 
scanty, the evening's milk is of the better quality. 
On the other hand, when the cows get a good 
supply of rich food in the evening, and are stinted 
or fed upon very watery food during the daytime, 
the evening milk is the poorer." 
MAN AND BEAST. 
Tuberculosis is another disease of cattle whick 
is communicable to man. It is a matter of great 
difficulty to diagnose a case of tuberculosis in 
its early stages, though the characteristic manifes- 
tations in the later stages of the affection can 
never be mistaken. On postmortem examination 
tubercular growths varying from the size of a 
pin's head to a pigeon's egg are invariably 
found in various parts of the body, and commonly 
in the lungs. These nodules contain the germs 
of the disease, and the meat, but especially the 
milk, of affected animals are capable of com- 
municating the disease to those who consume 
it as food, developing in the human race the 
common-euougli-disease known as consumption. 
Actiyioviycosis is a new disease only in the sense 
that it was formerly confounded with other 
perfectly distinct affections, chiefly cancer and 
tuberculosis. The disease is now admitted to be 
caused by a vegetable parasite called from its 
mode of growth the actinomyces or ray fungus, 
and by the presence of this fungus in the 
diseased parts we can easily distinguish between 
this affection and tuberculosis. 
Rinderpest is the most common disease among 
cattle in India and Ceylon. It is the so-called 
murrain or cattle-plague of Ceylon ( Vasangata ). 
The suddenness of attack, the prevalence of the 
disease in epizootic form, the infiammation of the 
digestive canal followed up by constipation or 
diarrhuja are all well-known symptoms, while 
the postmortem appearances especially in the 
tissues of the mouth and stomach are well marked. 
By introduction of the septic matter of this 
disease into man, serious affections of the stomach, 
and even typhoid fever are apt to supervene. 
Pleuropneumonia is not of so common occurrence 
in India and Ceylon as in other countries. In the 
case of this disease, too, mistakes are apt to occur 
in diagnosing during the early stages, when an af- 
fected animal is olten liable to appear in more 
than ordinary thriving condition, before the well- 
marked symptoms of general debility, fever and 
cough are developed. The appearance of the 
lungs wliicU become more or less solidified, and 
till! rtabby glazed meat, on post7nurteiii e.xamina- 
tion, are uumisiakal)le signs of the disease. 
In addition to the above-mciitio.ied uilectious 
skin di.ieases, such as ringworm, are also liable to 
be couLracted by man ; while we should even 
guard against cousuming the meat of animals 
suffering Irom rheumar,ic ntfectinns, Mip meat or 
milk of cows attacked by partuneuc diseases, or of 
animals dying suddenly from suffocation or poison. 
W. A. DR S. 
TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE. 
Tuberculosis is one of the few diseases which, 
it has been demonstrated time and again, 
cannot be accurately diagnosed in its early stages 
in the cow by a physical examination, even 
by the most expert men. Veterinaiy Surgeon 
Niles of the Experimental Station, Blacksburg, has 
contributed a paper on this subject, with the object 
of directing attention to the possibility of the 
detection of the disease in its early stages, so as 
to save the human family from a source of 
great danger. 
" When we stop to consider," says the writer, 
" that one out of every seven persons dies of 
tuberculosis, and that perhaps the greatest source 
of infection is the flesh and milk of tuberculous 
cattle, the importance of an early diagnosis im- 
presses itself upon us. It is also stated by various 
authorities that a majority of the deaths of infants 
in the cities are caused by tuberculosis as a 
result of being fed on tuberculous milk. There 
is probably no disease of the lower animals and 
human being so treacherous as tuberculosis. 
It may infect the individual or animal for an 
indefinite length of time without causing sus- 
picion. Yet, at the same time, such individuals 
or animals are a constant source of danger to 
others." 
The practically important part of the paper, 
however, is to follow, namely a description of 
the method of detecting the disease in its earliest 
stages; we quote the writer's own words: — 
" In 1890, Dr. Koch announced the fact of his 
discovery of a substance with which he believed 
he would be able to successfully treat the 
disease. This substance is known as Koch's 
lymph, or tuberculin, and consists of the taxy- 
albumins produced by the growth of the 
germ in artificial culture-media. It has a 
specific action on tubercular processes, and, 
when properly administered, causes a hyperemia, 
or congestion, around the tubercle, and an 
elevation of the body temperature. This 
action is not observed when the substance is 
injected into healthy animals, or those suffer- 
ing from other diseases than tuberculosis. 
As a cure for the disease, the substance is at 
present a failure, but as an aid to the diagnosis 
or detection of tuberculosis, in all its 
forms and stages, it is invaluable. No matter 
what organ or organs of the animal economy 
are affected, or how slight the lesions, 
a re-action is sure to follow the injection of 
tuberculin if the animal has tuberculosis. 
Since 1891, numerous investigators have e.x- 
penineuted with tuberculin on the lower 
animals very extensively, and reports ar« 
unanimous as to its value as a diagnostic agent. 
When animals do not re-act after the injection 
of tuberculin, it can be said, with almost absolute 
certainty, that they are free from tuberculosis, 
since not a single case has been unquestionably 
established in wnicli animals affecLcd with tuljer- 
culosis did not re-act. On the other nand, if a 
re-action takes place, it may be said, witli almost 
absolute certainty, tliatthe animai has tuberculosis. 
The method of using tubeiculin is us follows : — A 
lU per cent, .solution is made in n I per cent, 
solution of carbolic acid. Of tliis dilution, ^ o cc. 
