754 
C. W. FISHER. 
possible. As so much has been written and published on tuber¬ 
culosis in regard to its history, etiology, and pathology we will 
pass hastily over these and consider more carefully a few of the 
important points of interest to the veterinarian. 
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus 
tuberculosis, characterized by the formation of tubercles in the 
various organs of the body. It is common to man and all 
animals. It is not a new disease, in fact, Hippocrates, 400 
years B. C., described abscesses and ulcers of the lungs, which 
characterize the disease of to-day. 
This paper will consider bovine tuberculosis principally, as 
it is of the'most importance to our profession ; bringing in that 
of the other animals only in relation to this. Bovine tuberculo¬ 
sis is of long standing in European countries, but is compara¬ 
tively new in America. It was brought here in cattle imported 
for stock purposes and has gradually spread from the stock-farms 
throughout the country. Within the past few years, through 
the cheapness of transportation, and the desire to improve their 
herds, people have exchanged cattle much more than formerly, 
purchasing especially from these infected stock-farms. This 
has caused the disease to spread very fast; thus giving some 
people the idea that it is a new disease, while others think it has 
always existed in our herds. 
It does not originate spontaneously, however poor the man¬ 
agement of a herd may be. A veterinarian should acquaint him¬ 
self with the predisposing tendencies, also the laws of breeding, 
so as to enlighten a client who may seek his advice and ser¬ 
vices. There is much in breeding that will act as a preven¬ 
tive to this and other diseases. 
Bovine tuberculosis, being so insidious in its character of 
development and affecting any of so many various organs of the 
body, is a very hard disease to diagnose by physical examina¬ 
tion alone. It is, however, important for a veterinarian to be 
familiar with a few of the general symptoms, some of which 
may be recognized in well-developed cases. Eirst, there may be 
a dry, hoarse cough, especially in the morning or when the am- 
