The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-03-21
Transmission OF tuberculosis.

ITAubmlSSlOn Oh luDeTCulOS1Ss
The communicable character of
tuberculosis, as demonstrated by the
history of the disease, was proved by
the researches of Koch, an eminent
German physician, who established the
relation to the disease of living germ
called tubercle bacillus. Experiments
throughout the civilized world have
confirmed Koch's observations and his
conclusion that the sole exciting cause
of tuberculosis is the tubercle bacillus,
which is defined as minute vegetable
organism in the sputum of consump-
tive patients and in tuberculous tissue.
1t is maintained as logical conclusion
that the disease is communicable and
therefore preventable.
A writer in the February number of
the Forum, discussing the general sub
ject of consumption, makes some obser-
vations which will be of particular pub
lie interest in connection with the
prevalence of tuberculosis among the
cattle of the state. This writer, DIR. M.
H. Biggs, says the germ called tuber-
Gle bacillus is constantly present in the
diseased tissues of men and animals
suffering from tuberculosis; it is never
present in any disease excepting tuber-
culosis; it has for long periods of time
been grown or cultivated in proper sub
stances outside the living body; when
these growths have been used for in
oculating animals susceptible to the dis
ease, tuberculosis has been produced
with the same changes in the tissues,
and in these tissues the same germ is
present with the same characteristics.
Finally, says this writer, it has been
shown that no other kind Of living or
dead thing can or does produce this
disease, when used for such inocula-
ton. When these germs gain entrance
to the body they produce small new
growths called tubercles, which tend to
soften, and the discharges from the
softened tubercles, containing the living
germs, are thrown off from the body.
When the sputum has become dried and
pulverized, and thus suspended in the
air, the air becomes infected and capa-
BILE of producing the disease when in
spired by healthy individuals. DR..
Biggs continues:
"It has been abundantly established that
tuberculosis may be transmitted by meat or
milk from tubercular animals. The milk
glands in mich cows often become affected
with the disease, when the lungs are in
volved, and the milk from such animals
may contain the tubercle bacilli and is
capable OF producing the disease. Boiling
the milk or cooking the meat destroys the
germs. Although the meat and milk from
tubercular animals constitute actual and
important sources of danger, the disease is
acquired, as rule, by transmission from
man to man"
Our purpose is not discussion of the
general subject of tuberculosis, but to
set forth the danger which exists, as ex-
planned by high medical authority, Of
the transmission of the disease 10 the
human body by eating or drinking the
meat or milk of the animal victims OF
tuberculosis. Among the duties Of
state, municipal and sanitary authorities
in this matter, DR.. Biggs enumerates
I" the inspection of dairy cattle and thu
destruction of those found to be tuber
cular." This is a public duty and {
means of prevention which the WATCH
MAN has sought to enforce. A disre
gard of this plain duty and neglec
to employ such means of proven
ton as are possible and available
by the public authorities, will be
culpable failure to perform function
t of government which are of the mos
I vital importance. determination, pre-
l vention, are the surest specifics for tn
: cure of the disease, and these remedies
t applied with intelligent energy, will il
i sure the wiping out of tuberculosis an
h the removal of an appalling menace t
d the public health.
r DIR. Biggs is not believer in the he
C editary character of tuberculosis. 1t
d communicable through the introdu
10 ton of the living germ into the bod.
|. Parents do not transmit the disease