BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. 
189 
We should remember that we are not facing a sudden crisis; 
there has not been a sudden increase in the number of deaths 
from tuberculosis ; on the contrary, the members of the Cattle 
Commission themselves admit that the mortality from phthisis in 
human beings is decreasing. Further, the medical profession 
have not requested any such radical legislation, the State Board 
of Health has not demanded it, and the facts in the case do not 
warrant it. 
It is a curious condition of affairs when the Board of Cattle 
Commissioners press for legislation on the ground of the require¬ 
ments of public health, while the State Board of Health, whose 
duty is supposed to be the protection of public health, stand 
aside as spectators. 
It seems to me that the danger has been much exaggerated, 
and that, with ordinary precaution, the danger from bovine tuber¬ 
culosis is not the great menace to the public health that, in their 
excitement, the Commissioners and the public have taken it to 
be. 
In considering almost any question of importance there is 
always a tendency to go from one extreme to the other, and the 
present instance is no exception to the rule. 
The infectious character of consumption was demonstrated 
by Villemin many years ago, but the close relationship between 
human and bovine tuberculosis was first proved by Robert Koch 
in 1882. This matter, however, did not begin to attract public 
attention in this country till 1887, when the subject was brought 
to the attention of the authorities by Dr. Winchester, of Law¬ 
rence, who was then a member of the Board. Since that time 
the agitation has gradually gained in strength, until the authori¬ 
ties have gone to the opposite extreme. There is still room for 
improvement in th-e laws relating to the contagious diseases of 
animals, but the Commissioners have signally failed to show the 
necessity for any such radical legislation as is proposed. 
At the time the agitation was started there was really no 
check on the disease, old worn-out cows and “ coughers ” were 
butchered and sold for meat, and milk from any and every cow 
