The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-02
DIR. HARBAUGH'S RLJOINDER.
Vigorous Reply To Dr. Tritton's Argu-
ments on the Tubercuiin Test.
Iliinr OF Thn Ti1nn..

vigorous hcply Ia Dr. Iritton's AIgu-
ments on the Tubercuiin Test.
Editor of The Times:
III. was an unpleasant duty 10 reply 10
Or. TrIttons first letter because IL was
very painful to place a person in such an
uhenfidble light as 1 was compelled 10
90 IN his case. but as ii now aupears that
he IL DESTROYS OF prolongiug The contro-
aeIs!, take pleasure in replying 10 his
second letter Tor the simple reason that
can bring out facts That tine public
should know.
To begin with the question may well be
asked. Why is ne 20 desperately oppO.ed
TO the use of tuberculln2 IL is easily an
SWeFed. Inc reading public, no doubt,
remember the many times certificates
Meif published Ia our dally papers 20 the
effect that certain herds were free from
disease. Now, If the tuberculin test Is
made compulsory il Will clearly show that
his published bills or health were not
based on the true condition OF the cat
tie, ana were not worth the paper they
were written on.
lie again introduces that question IN
regard 10 the tweutythreo head OF
BlOOmingdale cattle. and as he himself
gi,eN my reply 1t is useless for me
TO repeat It, but then he asks why they
were passed as sound when / should think
common sense would tell him they were
passed rs sound because the lest proved
them 10 be sound.
His question in regard 10 The calves
again exposes his utter ignorance OF the
characteristics Of the disease. indeed OF
the most prominent features OF tubercu-
losis. If he had any knowledge of IL he
would never ask that question aud hay-
ing no knowledge either theoretical or
practical. he asks me for the information.
l VIII give IL him.
1t is a well-known fact that some CON
tasiOus diseases are peculiar 10 the young
aud others TO the adult. Different spe-
eies and different races enjoy an absolute
immunity from some diseases. lmmu-
nifty is phenomenon that has never been
satisfactorily explained. but the fact re-
mains that some individuals have either
an acquired or Inherent power TO resist
any or all contagious or infectious DE-
se2ses. while other individuals eEsHbit
such degree Of susceptibility that they
contract contagious or infections disease
on the slightest exposure TO its cause.
Now OF all the ascertained truths fla
regard TO tuberculosis the peculiar i'm
munlty of calves IS the best known aud
the oftenest referred 20 IN an scientific
works on the subject. therefore our crit.
les question not only proves his igno-
rance IN practical sense but shows
that he has rushed into print without even
reading up. Slaughier-house and ahat-
TOR statistics show that nothing is rarer
than tuberculosis i'm the calf For IN
stance. take the statistics OF the Munich
ahaitoir where 10000 calves are slaugh-
tered on an average annually. and ont Of
this large number only were found tn
berculous In ISIS; IN 1879, none in 1850
none IN 1881, 2 IN 1882 At the LYONS
abattoir only : calves were found tn
hercuious cut OF more than 100000 slaugh-
tered. AT Berlin only four tuberCulOus
out of 10000 slaughtered. Many other
reliable statistics are recorded that con
clusvely prove the immunity Of tho calf
and this immunity exists i'm spite OF the
fact that many Of the calves have tuhcr-
cuious sires and dams, and I'm spite OF the
fact that milk from tuberculous cows,
which tails 20 produce the disease In the
calf. frequently produces the disease
when fed TO pigs. However. there are
well authenticated cases recorded where
milk from tuberculous cows has prolific
cd the disease in calves despite their
strange immunity. But AS the calf in
creases in age its susceptibility to tuher-
culosis Increases until IT becomes mich
cov when II ~ the most susceptible
OF all animals.
most enphaticalIy assert that because
one-fourth OF the COWS killed Mt Grant
land showed tuberculosis or the ndder'
mat the tuberculin test should D.. ap-
nned 20 all herds. IL Is agreed by al
authorities that udder tuberculosis Is the
most dangerous to mankind, and uddef
tuberculosis often exists when II IL Ut
terry impossible TO detect II during ne
and I'm many cases even after death
m,croscopical examination Is necessary TO
demonstrate II. On this point Dr. Noou-
head reported b. the Royal CFupercHlosisl
.curaission of treat Britain, says
most important point Is that the spread
OF tupercle In the udder goes on with the
most alarming rapidly. The very alb