The advocate., 1897-10-27


disease.
Tuberculosis Is the worst disease
which affects stock 1t is transmissible
TO almost all domestic animals and
even to humans. 1t is caused by the
establishment and growth Of germs in
the organs Of the body. These may be
inhaled into the lungs or taken in by
eating the meat Of a diseased animal or
drinking it's milk. Humans are not
easily affected, but II not strong and
vigorous, they are more susceptible to
II. Cattle which are most often infected
are those kept in stables or otherwise
confined in close proximity to each other.
Range cattle enjoy almost absolute I'M
munity from the disease because sun
shine and fresh air are the most fatal
enemies Of the germs
These college cattle have been known
to be affected for several years. No
effort was made by the old management
to stamp out the disease. One dairy
cow which responded to the test last
January has been kept and the milk
used until the September meeting OF
the board, when an order was made that
no more OF her milk be used. In lec-
ture to the students and visitors We'd
nesday evening Doctor Law said that he
fully indOrsed the results Of the two
tests, that unmistakable and unequiv-
ocal evidence Of tuberculosis had been
found IN every animal slaughtered and
that they fully substantiated the tests
He called attention to the fact that 1t
Is not a new disease, and took the posi-
ton that it is not hereditary but that
susceptibility to it may be inherited
Animals infected may throw off germs
by coughing or otherwise. These may
dry and be breathed by healthy animals.
Animals in warm closed quarters are
most liable to be affected. In the sun
shine the germs lose their vitality. In
doors or in the shade the germs may
live long time. In humans the hand
kerchief Is an important source of infec-
tion. Damp managers help keep down
| infectious dust. Doctor Law addressed
himself to stOckmen and told them some
ways to detect the disease. 1t was most
likely to attack the lungs, then the
bronchial glands, which would give rise
to a slight cough, but no change in the
condition or appearance would likely
be noticeable. If the animal is hurried
and wheezes, suspect tuberculosis, and
If from a herd where the disease has
been, then doubly suspect 1t. In case
the disease takes root in the abdomen,
then disturbance of digestion will mani
fest itself and liability of securing If
Overfed will be noticed. The liver is
specially susceptible and the Emphatic
glands are more so. If an animal runs
down in any respect it may be evil
dence Of the presence of the disease. AS
to prevention, the Doctor advised that
none but cattle beyond suspicion be
bought, that herds be kept in open air.
that each animal be trained to go to its
own stall and that managers be fenced so
that animals cannot get their heads to-
gether or eat out of anOthers manger
Stalls should be sprinkled with brine
daily Give animals clean digestibe
feed and clear pure water, keep them in
good condition and avoid cold chills in
the barn. Doctor Law thinks that every
effort should be made to stamp out the
disease and suggests State Legislation on
the subject. He suggests that in cities
people require that cows be tested before
milk may be sold He stated that in the
East the disease was not new, that it was
thoroughly understood He spoke of
similar slaughters OF valuable animals
in New York Thousands of dollars
worth Of cattle were killed few years
ago on the farm of ex-Vice President
Levi p Morton.
The slaughter at Manhattan was at
tended by about a dozen prominen
veterinarians from all parts of the West
Every one Of them was agreed as to