1 Maz., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 215 
test of the accuracy of the indication afforded by the tuberculin, two of the 
@nimals, although in excellent condition, but showing a more "pronounced 
reaction in temperature, were killed, and on post-mortem examination a number 
of tuberculous lesions were found. This discovery of tuberenlosis in two of the 
ealthiest-looking animals indicated a most serious degree of contamination of 
€ herd, and Lord Spencer accordingly decided to have the remaining animals- 
Slaughtered. This was carried out, and a careful post-mortem examination of each 
animal revealed the fact that every animal was affected with some manifestation 
of tuberculosis, thus proving the absolute certainty of tuberculin as an aid in 
the diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle. - 
Another exceedingly interesting experiment is that carried out on the herd 
at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Vermont,-U.S.A., by F. A. Rich, 
State Veterinarian. The herd consisted of 21 J erseys, 6 Ayrshires, and 6 
Holsteins—33 head altogether, including 3 bulls, 24 cows, and 5 calves. In 
J anuary, 1894, Mr. Rich made a physical examination of the herd, and found 
4m two cows symptoms which might be taker for tuberculosis, and, as it was 
Suspected that some of the other animals might be affected, rt was decided to 
test the entire herd with tuberculin, which was accordingly carried out, with 
the result that the 3 bulls, 16 cows, and 2 calves, a total’of 21 animals, being 
nearly 64 per cent. of the entire herd, reacted to the tuberculin, and it is still 
more interesting to know that, although most of the animals which reacted were 
an splendid condition and giving a large supply of milk, they were ordered to 
be slaughtered, and the post-mortem examination confirmed the tuberculin test 
without exception. The remaining healthy animals were at once removed to 
another shed, while the infected one was thoroughly washed with hot water. 
Following this, every square inch of woodwork was sprayed with a solution of 
corrosive sublimate (1 to 1,000), and then 125 1b. of sulphur was burned in the 
tightly-closed shed and cellar beneath. This being done, all the woodwork of 
the mangers and in front of the stanchions was torn out and replaced with new, 
after which the double sterilisation with corrosive sublimate and sulphur was 
repeated, and the shed once again used for housing cattle. Six months later 
eighteen grade Jersey cattle were purchased from various herds and subjected 
to the tuberculin tests. All of these animals were found to be free from 
tuberculosis, but it was definitely decided to test these and the remaining healthy 
animals of the original herd every six months. It was the aim of the station — 
to make its former herd of moderate-priced animals produce from 350 to 400 Ib. 
pet cow per annum by such methods as any dairyman might use. The 
oard of Control of the station state it is again their intention to seek the 
same end, and at the same time to keep the herd healthy by the free application 
of the tuberculin test. Here is an object lesson and an example which dairy 
farmers in Queensland should follow, but this is a matter which, in all 
probability, will be initiated and placed on a firm basis at our Agricultural 
College at Gatton. 
The insidious nature of tuberculosis, Professor Walley says, has much 
to do with the comparative slowness with which public attention has been 
directed to it, but the strides which it has made and the hold it has gained on. 
our stock renders it one of the most important questions affecting the future 
well-being of the bovine species. Looking at an individual tubercle bacillus, 
we might be led to despise its comparative insignificance, and to ignore its 
deadly meaning ; but when we know that thousands upon thousands of these 
micro-organisms exist in the body of a single animal, a truth is forced upon our 
minds, which we cannot refuse to recognise—viz., that_we have to deal with an 
insidious, implacable, and deadly foe, and independently of its ultimate fatality 
it may be said with safety that there is no disease known. to the pathologist 
which gives rise to so many functional derangements. Contagious pleuro- 
pneumonia, foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, and tick fever are each in their 
turns terrible scourges. Are they greater scourges than tuberculosis? I think 
not, for although they sweep their victims off in a manner which is seen by all 
there is not that vast deterioration and slow but certain decimation of many 
