The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-29
the tuberces are too small for the naked
| eye to see.
THE TUBERCUL1N TEST.

the tubercles are too small Tor the naked
eye TO see.
THE TUBERCULIN TEST.
Tuberculin is made from pure cultures
Growth separate from all other germs)
of the tubercle bacillus, concentrated,
sterilized (to kill all germ life) and fill
tered. 1t contains the chemical poisons
created by the life functions of the
germs. Although failure as cure
for tuberculosis, it has been successfully
used to detect its existence in cattle.
If small quantity is injected into
tuberculous animal it will produce
fever; but, if the animal is healthy and
it is properly used, there should be no
rise of temperature. An increase of
two degrees above the normal temper
ature after injection is ground for sus-
picion. The tuberculin test is not in
fallible. Mistakes have been made in
it's use, and il has sometimes failed in
careful hands. 1t is, however, much
more reliable than any other known
means of diagnosis. If properly made
and used, it cannot cause tuberculosis.
INTERPRETATION.
Both human and bovine tuberculosis
are infectious. Human tuberculosis
affects the lower animals, and bovine
tuberculosis affects man. The latter
has never been directly proved, but
many cases of accidental infection have
demonstrated its possibility. 1t has
been claimed that tuberculosis does not
exist where there are no cattle, and
that tuberculous infection was originally
af h4u s~;, ontc hau
shown that the disease-producing germ
may be present in the milk whether
the udder is affected or not. If milk
is sterilized by heat, or "pasteurized,"
it may be considered safe to use. 1t has
recently been claimed that, because of
the alleged presence of tuberculin in
tuberculous milk, even though steril-
lied, there is danger to its consumers
of aggravation of the disease if already
present. 1t is not advisable to attempt
to cure bovine tuberculosis.
PREVENTION.
Both human and bovine tuberculosis
are preventable, and the means which
may be taken to prevent its spread are
CD official inspection of cattle, meat
and milk; (2) the destruction or disin-
lection of human spittle; (3) careful
disinfection of places occupied by tuber-
culous men or animals. The stock
owner, 50 far as possible, should keep his
cattle under healthy conditions, should
keep each animal in its own stanch-
ion, should isolate suspected animals,
should buy cautiously, should exclude
human and animal consumptives from
the barn, should test newly-admitted
animals, and, if he finds the disease,
should kill, bury or burn the diseased
animals, disinfect the premises and test
the rest of the herd.
RELATION OF STATE TO TUBERCULOSIS.
The most successful work in the sup
preston of animal disease is that done
by the government, since it is accom-
plished in a systematic, intelligent and
thorough manner. The New England,
Middle and some of the Western states
exercise control over animal diseases
by means of cattle commissions. Some
state laws permit indemnity, othefs dc
not. Attention is called to the state
ment and bond of the Vermont commits
sion at the end of the bulletin.
VT. EXPER. STATION.