EDITORIAL. 
597 
nation of the earth, of the life studies of the veterinary savants 
of Burope and America, and their recorded conclusions in refer¬ 
ence to the etiology of bovine tuberculosis, a medical prac¬ 
titioner in Brooklyn has solved the gigantic problem of its pro¬ 
phylaxy in the simplest and most inexpensive manner possible, 
based upon his vast experience gained during “ his summer va¬ 
cations in all parts of the country.” Not only this, but he has 
discovered that bulls, steers, and unimpregnated heifers never 
contract the disease. That such an authoritative journal as the 
Medical Record should give space to such arrant twaddle is in¬ 
comprehensible. It is not an isolated case of medical ignorance 
upon veterinary subjects, but is a sample of many of its kind, 
and is a serious argument against placing animal diseases under 
the charge of State Boards of Health, made up almost exclusively 
of medical practitioners. We reproduce the document in full: 
‘ ‘ To the Kditor of the Mediccil Record: — Sir : A few years ago we 
were surprised and alarmed by the discovery that a large number of the 
dairy cows of this country and Europe were affected with bovine tuber¬ 
culosis. The public was much excited, and I believe that most of the 
diseased cows were destroyed and the expenses added to our already 
overburdened tax-list. And there the matter seemed to have ended, so 
far as the institution of any preventive measures was concerned. 
‘ ‘ Since that time during my summer vacations in all parts of the 
United States I have endeavored to find out the cause of bovine tubercu¬ 
losis, and the answer has invariably been over-milking, viz., not allow¬ 
ing the cows any rest during pregnancy, but milking them from one year 
to the other until they die. In many instances I know this to be true, as 
the farmers have assured me that their cows never ‘ went dry ’; but 
these same farmers would never allow their own children to be nursed 
during their mother’s pregnancy. 
‘ ‘ I am assured that bulls, steers, a7id unimpregnated heifers never 
contract tuberculosis. 
“That there are other secondary causes, such as too close confine¬ 
ment in warm houses or stables, I have no doubt; but the primary and 
principal cause is as I have stated above, and it must and will be rem¬ 
edied ; not by forever killing the cows as they develop the disease, but 
by removing the cause. 
‘ ‘ The law should compel every farmer or dairyman to allow his cows 
to go dry for the last three months of gestation. 
