816 
J. C. BURNESON. 
A RETROSPECT OF THE CONTROVERSY REGARD¬ 
ING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE TUBERCULIN TEST. 
gy j Burneson, Veterinarian, Ohio Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Wooster, Ohio. 
That the tuberculin test is a “bone of contention ” among 
many herd-owners is a universal fact. Every good thing 
which has been brought before the people since the beginning 
of the world has had its pessimistic alarmists ready and willing 
to cry it down, regardless of the many virtues which it may 
possess. This “bone” (if I may here use the term) appeared 
to have an inexhaustible supply of nourishment for some, if 
one may judge by the continuous gnawing which it is receiving 
through, and by some of our leading stock journals. These jour¬ 
nals, which claim to always have the best interests of the stock- 
owner at heart, but which, nevertheless, decry the endeavors of 
a conscientious body of workers to eliminate from the herds the 
worst scourge with which human and bovine are afflicted. 
Is there any substantial basis upon which the herd-owner 
can place his side of the controversy ? Some have said many 
bitter things regarding the use of tuberculin, placing at its 
door many things, which, viewed from an unprejudiced stand¬ 
point, could not in any way be substantiated. The proper and 
only standpoint from which to view the tuberculin testing of 
cattle, is to give to it all credit which a careful test will always 
merit. It is an absolute necessity that the truth or falsity of 
these assertions be established in order that the wheels of pro¬ 
gress, in this line of work, may move without hindrance. The 
recent defense of this work, so energetically carried on by Dr. 
Salmon, is to be admired by all who are in favor of the 
inspectors’ side of the argument. 
The veterinarian has received his full share of condemna¬ 
tion ; and is this condemnation in all cases wholly unwarranted ? 
I regret to say that it is not, but is warranted in many more in¬ 
stances than one hardly dare believe. 
I dare say that it is no uncommon thing with other inspec- 
