BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. 
273 
because of their mode of life, and the way they are kept, and 
bred, and fed. 
In this connection I shall refer to an article by Dr. Her¬ 
man Biggs, bacteriologist to the New York Board of Health, 
contributed to The Forum (Feb., 1894). He writes as follows: 
“While tuberculosis is communicable, it is far less so than 
many other diseases which are more properly called contagi¬ 
ous. Ordinarily for its transmission, long exposure to infec¬ 
tion, and intimate association with the infected individual, are 
required, unless because of some peculiar conditions the 
natural resistance has been much reduced. 
“ Influences which depress the general vitality, or which 
produce more or less chronic affections of the air passages, in¬ 
crease the susceptibilty. Foul air, unhealthy occupations, 
food poor in quality or insufficient in quantity, impaired nu¬ 
trition, defective ventilation, heredity, bronchial, and pulmon¬ 
ary inflammations, all act as important factors in creating a 
soil which is favorable for the development of the tubercle 
bacillus, when once it has gained entrance.” 
And in the report of the second Congress for the Study of 
Tuberculosis, held in Paris in July, 1891, it was said that, “if 
there is one thing above all others to be learned from the 
study of this well worn, but still obscure subject of tuberculo¬ 
sis, it is that the bacillus alone does not constitute the disease. 
The host is obviously not the least important element, and the 
only hopeful means of conquest must be on the lines of physi¬ 
ological resistance. The soil must be rendered sterile.” 
Med. Record , Sept. 2, 1893.) 
All medical men know the influence of surroundings on the 
health of the animal body. Pages of statistics could be quoted 
and figures given in support of this, but I take it that that 
would be unnecessary. The immense importance of sanitary 
and hygienic conditions is general^ accepted by everyone. 
As showing the influence of sanitary conditions on health, 
however, I would like briefly to call your attention to an ex¬ 
tract from the Med. Record , (Dec. 30, 1893.) In referring to 
sanitary conditions in Great Britain, the author says: “The 
average annual death rate throughout England and Wales 
