SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
121 
quite easy to deduce inferences on this subject based upon our knowledge of the disease, 
the vitality of the tubercle bacillus, etc. While these inferences may seem to be sup¬ 
ported in some isolated cases, the careful observer will find many illustrations of excep¬ 
tions to what he has supposed should be the rule. For example, tuberculosis has been 
known to spread with great rapidity among animals kept in well ventilated stables and 
stables that were well lighted and even out of doors, while the cattle were at pasture. 
Some observations made in Iowa and some made in Scotland show that tuberculosis can 
spread extensively in herds that are never stabled. Since it has been shown conclusively 
that heredity has but little part in the transmission of tuberculosis, there has been a gen¬ 
eral tendency among writers on this subject to dwell upon the importance of the inherited 
predisposition to the disease. But the very careful and extensive work conducted in Den¬ 
mark by Prof. Bang seems to show that after all this is a matter of minor consequence, 
•and general observation indicates that contagion, actual exposure to cattle afflicted with 
tuberculosis, is the thing that it is most important to guard against, and if this is guarded 
against thoroughly the most important precaution has been taken. It is, however, ex¬ 
ceedingly important that one should know the exact value of good sanitary conditions 
and what sanitary arrangements are best adapted to prevent the rapid spread of tubercu¬ 
losis in a herd. A great many diverse opinions prevail on this subject and a great many 
cheap views on it are aired from tirne to time in the public prints, but there is a great lack 
of accurate information and demonstrated facts that would be of the greatest value and 
should be supplied. The State Live Stock Sanitary Board has realized the need of fur¬ 
ther knowledge in reference to many of the diseases of animals, and has instituted a labor¬ 
atory at the Veterinary Department of the University of Pennsylvania, wherein investiga¬ 
tions can be made and where tuberculin, mallein, anthrax vaccine and black-leg vaccine 
are prepared. Several investigations are now under way and it is hoped that the 
facilities for this work can be increased in proportion to its importance, so that more 
of the many vague and perplexing questions that beset the veterinarian may be studied 
and more effective means for the prevention and cure of disease among animals may be 
developed. 
I wish to thank the veterinarians of the State for their indispensable and ever-ready 
assistance whenever they were called upon to aid in the work of the Live Stock Sanitary 
Board ; the kind and willing manner in which they have responded to all calls made upon 
them has been exceedingly gratifying, and without it the results that have been attained 
would have been impossible. 
The fact that the live stock industry of Pennsylvania represents approximately $125,- 
000,000 and suffers losses approximating ^6,000,000 as a result of diseases that are prob- 
a.bly preventable, indicates the importance of the work that is going on under the direction 
of the State Live Stock Board, This work will unquestionably grow in importance and 
extent, and that it may grow in such a way as to yield the greatest return for the money 
expended, it is to b^ hoped that provisions can be made for more extensive researches that 
will lead to a better understanding of the best means for the suppression of these numer¬ 
ous diseases, and this can only be learned by a more careful study of their causes, their 
exact methods of transmission, the conditions that are favorable or unfavorable to them. 
Meat InspectioJi is a subject that is grow'ing in importance and the public is becoming 
•educated so rapidly to the necessities in this connection that there is reason to believe that 
more thorough and valuable methods will soon be in operation. 
Dairy Inspection has been introduced by some dealers in milk, and they find it so 
much to their advantage that there is a growing demand on the part of cattle owners for 
an inspection that will eradicate from their herds all animals that will in any way contam¬ 
inate or injure their products and thus furnish the public with a guarantee of healthfulness 
that will greatly increase the sale of dairy products. 
Disatssion on Dairy Interests of the State .—The President 
called upon the following : Mr. Barnes, chief of the city milk in¬ 
spectors ; Drs. Harger, Pearson, Adams, T. B. Rayner, Conard, 
and Schreiber ; Messrs. Henry Abbott, Garret, Chester Morris, 
of Chester, Mr. Morris, of this city, and others. 
