BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. 
359 
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. 
By John M. Parker, D.Y.M., Boston, Mass. 
(Read before the Haverhill Medical Club, April, 1893). 
I am pleased to have the opportunity of bringing the sub¬ 
ject of bovine tuberculosis before you, not because I have 
anything particularly new or original to present to you, but 
because I wish to call your attention especially to the sani¬ 
tary and hygienic aspects of the subject, which have been too 
much neglected. 
As you are aware, all domestic animals are more or less 
subject to tuberculosis. Dairy cattle, however, in conse¬ 
quence of their mode of life, and because of the heavy drain 
on their system through excessive breeding and milking, are 
more predisposed than any other of the domestic animals 
Of the different breeds of cattle the delicate, highly bred Jer¬ 
sey is probably the most susceptible, while the hardy native 
breeds are most exempt. The early physical diagnosis of 
bovine tuberculosis is difficult; the symptoms are very 
meager, and, in fact, in some cases even when the disease is 
well advanced, there is seemingly little alteration in the health 
of the animal. 
For example, in that form of tuberculosis known as “ perl- 
sucht,” or “pearl disease,” of cattle, where the serous mem¬ 
branes are covered with the peculiar characteristic nodular 
masses, the animal mav be in a seemingly healthy condition. 
At other times the only symptoms observable may be en¬ 
largement or tumefaction of the external lymphatic glands, 
with possibly tubercular nastitis, in which condition there 
may be a characteristic hard and knotted condition of the 
udder, which is devoid of sensibility, and is non-secretive, or 
there may be a “ diffuse and uniform enlargement and indura¬ 
tion,” with “functional activity to a greater or less degree.” 
These symptoms, however, would be sufficient, especially 
with a previous history of tuberculosis in the herd, to con¬ 
demn the animal. 
Again, there may be indigestion and persistent tympanitis 
from the enlarged bronchial glands pressing in the cesopha 
