002 849 298 4, Hollinger Corp. pH8.5 SF 808 .C8 Copy 1 Lonncchcul Slalc f3oard of Vlqricull UPC. SPECIAL REPORT COMMISSIONERS Diseases of Domesticated Animals. TUBERCULOSIS. The discoveries of modern science, both in medical and veterinary studies, have such an important bearing upon public health, that the well-established facts in regard to this disease, commonly called consumption, should be as widely disseminated as possible. The facts are well settled that tuberculosis is not only a communicable disease, that it occurs in many animals, especially the human and bovine races, and is intercom- municabie between them. While this last point hardly admits of positive proof, it is generally accepted by pathol- ogists. In its common and acknowledged form as affecting' the lungs (pulmonary consumption), it is a leading cause of death in the human family ; add to this its more secret ami abstruse forms as affecting other organs, it is one of the worst scourges affecting humanity. As a communicable disease it must also be viewed largely as a preventable disease. Aside from our common interest in Mibject in behalf of humanity, the existence of this i« disease among our domestic animals, especially neat stock, where it may have been derived from man, propagated in the herds, and again in a mysterious manner spreading the seeds of disease and death in the human family, — appeals directly to farmers as a class. It has long been admitted to be hereditary, but now it appears more often to arise from cohabitation (dwelling together) than from heredity ; while it is supposed to affect all classes of animals, yet its manifestations are so different in some species that its general prevalence in differ- ent species has not been admitted by pathologists till recently, and some still hold the question in doubt. But we know enough as to the nature of this disease that cannot be con- troverted, to enable us to alleviate much suffering, and save many lives, even with our imperfect knowledge. This paper will treat only of its existence among neat stock and the consequent relations to human health. It will be brief, not because the subject is trivial, but as not designed for a comprehensive treatise, but to give only leading facts, sufficient to show clearly the nature of the disease and the obvious means of averting its serious consequences. Tuberculosis, affecting the lungs, the most common and communicable form, is indicated by a cough, difficult respira- tion, and general weakness and wasting away or emaciation. The persistence of these symptoms proves that it is not a common cold. The animal should be quarantined ; if a milch cow, the milk rejected ; and if there is no speedy recovery, a veterinarian should be consulted or the beast slaughtered as valueless and dangerous. The time is coming when some strict sanitary rules will be adopted in all cases of human tuberculosis. The necessity for this is generally admitted, but rarely enforced. Travel- ing in public conveyances thus has its dangers, especially so- called health resorts, which are liable to become rather hot- beds of disease. The time has already come for the stock owner to exercise watchful care over the health of his herds. The • 6 I- D. ot 0.