Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-24
DIR. TRITON on TUBERCULOSIS.
He Thinks the Danger from MIX
and Beef Is Exaggerated.


To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
tuberculosis phtkisis. or consumption,
as It is generally called. is an infectious
disease produced by special germ. called
the bacillus tuberculosis. When the
bacili penetrate into the tissues they
form a augmentation OF cellular nuclei.
The Consequence OF this process is the
formation of number of epitheliod cells,
which constitute the tubercules. BY
placing the germs obtained from man IN
animals has proved beyond a doubt In
numerous experiments that the disease
is infectious, and communicable to ami
mails from man, and IL is also claimed
under that head that 1t is communicable
from animals TO man. but this can only
be by conjecture. for experiments cannot
be made for obvious reasons) 10 yerif~
this statement Scientists claim that tu-
berculOsis OF cows or oxen can be COM
municated to man by both milk and beef.
and yet they admit that unless the milk
has the germs in IL Il is safe 20 use.
Here comes the question. At what stage
of disease does the bacllli get into the
milk? | think only when the mammary
gland IS affected. and in the case of beef,
as well as milk. cooking kills the germ.
mails for generations aud the theory OF
communication to the human race has
only in the last few years come to be
conjectured. and yet the people who live
an out-of-door. country life (and these
people, as a rule, drink more milk than
those who are confined TO the city, do
not contract consumption any more than
they did years ago Generally. II cases
OF such men are inquired into, we find
IL 10 be hereditary, or caused by eX-
posure, as in the numerous instances re-
corded during and after our late war.
In regard TO the injection of tubercu-
lin. an agent Of the composition. Of which
we know absolutely nothing, except that
70 is made from the germ itself, we find
that. as a diagnostic agent. It is Of great
value, for by the injection Of a few drops
Of the solution We can by certain rises
Of temperature establish tho fact Of tu-
berculosis being present IN a minor de-
gree. that cannot be detected by physical
science. It. however. seems 10 me that
when a disease cannot be detected by the
condition of the animal and by all physi-
cal signs known to science. there is lit
tie. II any, danger I'm drinking the milk
or eating the meat Again, unless a man
has predisposing cause or a suitable
pabulum for the germ TO work I'm, II cam
gastric juices alternate the activity
Of the bacill and the short time the
germ remains in the stomach and intes-
tines Is an unfavorable condition TO the
infection.
Now, let us take the practical side
OF injecting tuberculin into COWS. as they
are now doing around this city: What is
10 become OF the dairy industry. il the
percentage OF diseased cows In as much
as is claimed. and what are the people
TO do for milk? I think the want of
milk will do more harm than the con-
sumption OF the milk that Is claimed TO
40 so much harm, and yet never has been
proved. No dalryman wants 70 have
diseased COW I'm his herd, and IS per-
fcctly willing to get rid OF such. pro-
vided II can be proved beyond n reason
able doubt that its milk is dangerous 20
his customers: and 7 have found I'm my
practice that they are always willing 20
get rid Of diseased cows when pointed out
TO them; but It will go very hard to kill
or get rid Of their fat, healthy-looking
COWS because the tuberculin injection
gives signs OF the disease that has never
proved hurtful 10 the human race. The
fact that tuberculin IS not always reliable
was shown in the test Of the Blooming
dale herd. where twenty-three cattle that
were previously tested by the govern
emnt and condemned lid not show any
reaction on this inspection In the test
on the calves that have been drinking the
milk of the cows, In all cases they gave
a true bill of health. This is another
point to show that they did not get the
disease from drinking milk from tuber-
culous cows. Let fl be proved first that
the meat and milk from these healthy
looking cows is injurious 10 man. and
~. ,
competent veterinary (whO ought also 10
be tested for tuberculosis), and make an
appropriation TO pay for the condemned
cows. II not, stop this indIscriminate
experimenting. and let things 20 on, as
they have done for centuries.
Respectfully, r. L. TRITON,
Veterinary Surgeon.