TUBERCULOSIS, ITS CONTROL AND ERADICATION. 
405 
I am of the opinion that too much credence is given to the 
theon that the seat of tubercular lesions are indicative of the 
mode of infection. 
If we reason from analogy it is at once apparent that the 
theory is misleading. Take for illustration small-pox, measles, 
mumps, Asiatic cholera, bubonic plague, yellow fever, etc. 5 these 
sre bacterial diseases that aie transmitted by inhalation, yet in 
none of these diseases are the morbid lesions confined to the 
air passages or the lungs; in fact, these organs are not affected 
except as a complication of the disease proper. Again, syphilis is 
communicated by cohabitation, yet the morbid lesions are not 
confined to the generative organs ; while anthrax and black¬ 
leg of cattle are usually transmitted through contaminated food, 
but the morbid lesions are not confined to the digestive system. 
On the other hand, laboratory experiments do not fully agree 
with this theory. 
Why should this theory apply to the tubercular bacillus so 
much more forcibly than to most other organisms of a similar 
nature ? While the solution of this phase of the subject remains 
to be worked out, there are, at present, but few reasons except 
theory for asserting that pulmonary tuberculosis is always the 
result of an infection through inspiration. 
Up to the present time meat inspection has received more 
attention than has milk inspection. But I am of the opinion 
that milk is a greater factor than meat in the transmission of 
tuberculosis. My reasons for this view are, first, that the milk 
frequently contains the germs, especially when the udder is 
tubercular, whereas the muscular tissue is rarely affected ; and, 
second, that meat is usually cooked before being" eaten, whereas 
large quantities of milk are consumed in the raw state, especi¬ 
ally by children and invalids. 
I do not deem it advisable to treat this matter in such a 
manner as to create any widespread alarm, thereby causing un¬ 
necessary anxiety ; rather take a little more time and stand on a 
firmer basis. 
In conclusion permit me to again mention the important 
