Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-27
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
Whether Consumption is Contagious or
Hot Causes Interesting Debate.
BovINE TUBERCULOSIS DISCUSSED.
The Academy of Medicine ana Sur
gerry Appoints n Committee to Con-
slider Question of Recomme nding
Appointment of n Meat Inspector.


Bovine tuberculosis" was the subject
Of discussion last night by the Academy
Of Medicine and Surgery at its semi
monthly meeting at the Young Mems
Christian Association. Or. Gordon was
the first speaker. He said 1t was ac-
knowledged generally that cows could
have tuberculosis, so this phase OF the
question he would leave as a matter not
disputed. Or. Gordon read from various
reports to show that scientists In every
land had developed the fact that animals
could have tuberculosis and that cows
were even predisposed to IT, The injec-
ton Of tuberculh was a method by
which the disease, IL existing in cow
could be demonstrated 20 the examiner by
the symptoms which followed the injec-
ton.
whether the injection Of tuberculn
was harmful to cows that were healthy
he was not prepared to say. There was
no doubt, he thought, that milk from
tuberculous COW, when drank by a per-
son, affected such with the disease.
A PRACTICAL TEST GIVEN.
DR.. Irving followed Or. Gordon. lie
stated that last week he had the pleasure
of witnessing a practical demonstration
Of the experiment with tuberculin on
herd OF cattle 10 ascertain II any Of them
were diseased. He went with Or. Open
himer and Or. Niles 0he latter the state
Veterinarian to the farm Of Mr. Grant
who had herd of fifty which he wished
examined. Tubegculln was injected In
the cattle, and nine OF them were found
diseased. and were killed at the request
OF MI Grant, who wished his herd free
from disease. A post-m0rtem examination
demonstrated that the lungs Of the cattle
were affected by tuberculosis. and Dr.
Irving showed parts Of the diseased por-
tions Of the animals, which he had brought
with him. one COW, which had passed
the examination. was bought and killed,
and though it was the most diseased look
ing Of the lot, q pOst-mortem eXamina-
ton showed that II was perfectly healthy.
CONSUMPTION NOT CONTAGIOUS.
Dr. Upshur took issue with those who
had preceded him. lie did not think con-
sumption was contagious, and would run
the risk OF being called an old fogy In
making the assertion. He thought too big
a stir was being made about the matter
which would result in harm to the public
by their retaining from the use of food
necessary TO their health.
Or. Hugh Taylor said he thought II was
best that there should be a panic II n
would result In remedying the evil He
said the question was, Are you willing
to drink the milk from tuberculous cat
tle|' Are YOU willing TO eat the meat
from such cattle2 Are we. as doctors,
willing 10 continue to feed delicate chill
dreu on that mike" 10 was by bringing
the matter before the public that proper
laws could be- secured. Or. Taylor said
he had no doubt as to the contagiousness
Of consumption. Too many cases had come
under his observation to leave any doubt
in his mind on this question.
AN AGE OF CRAZES.
Dr. J. S. Wexford agreed with Or. Up
shur that consumption was not conta-
gious. IL was hereditary he declared
and his family practice had demonstrated
this fact In a manner conclusive 20 his
mind. lie did not know what the COM
munity was coming 10. he said. There
had been craze about scaret-feycr
about measles. eryspelas dphtherla,
James-river water. and now about meat
and milk. He had a patient, woman
who had that very day complained 10
him, and said that she didn't know what
she was going 10 do. now that she
couldn't eat meat and drink milk
Or. Shields next spoke. He said n any
fact had been proven In medicine IL was
that consumption was contagious There
was another matter. however, i'm which
he partially agreed with DR.. Upshur. and
that was that by agltating the question
too much they were creating panic In
the community. lie thought perhaps. il
was being discussed I'm a manner that
would do harm. He was Of the opinion,
however. some action should be taken
I'm regard 10 getting the City Council 10
take steps ia the matter.
a HEALTH OFFICERS VIEWS.
Dr. Jones. health officer OF Newport
News, was then invited 20 speak. lie
said he fully believed that consumption
was contagious He had come on here
to learn something In connection with
the subject under discussion. In order that
he might awaken an interest In his city
In regard TO the same question. He said
he confessed that since reading so much
about tuberculosis in cattle he was afraid
20 drink milk.
DIR. Vlrginius +. Lynch. OF Norfolk
who was also a visitor. was invited 10
address the academy, and made few re-
marks. There was no doubt In his mind
as 10 consumption being contagious.
SPEAKS FOR THE DAIRYMEN.
Mr. Renney, a dairyman. then spoke in
behalf OF the dealers. He said a wrong
impression seemed TO prevail in regard 10
dairymen. He was present 10 learn all
he could in connection with the question.
Drs. Sweeney and Lloyd, veterinary sur
geons, also addressed the body. The lat
ter said there was no remedy for the
evil until the Legislature enacted laws
IN regard 10 the subject. The city veteri-
narians. he said, would inspect cattle ana
find that they were diseased However,
they would mind their own business ana
say nothing about IL. and the animals
would be slaughtered and placed upon the
market.
Dr. Harbaugh, who was 10 have adj
dressed the body was absent
WANT A CITY INSPECTOR.
Or. Gordon closed the discussion.
DR.. Irving then offered the following
resolution:
Resolved. That # IS the sense OF the
Richmond Academy OF Medicine and Sur
gerry
First. That we believe in the con-
tagiousness and infection OF tuberculosis.
that we recognize that tuberculosis can
be contracted from eating meat and drink
ing milk from cattle infected with this
disease.