The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-08-05
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS AND ITS RELA-
TON TO MAN.
G. T. WINANS.

tains quite an exhaustive article by
Prof. II. W. Conn, bacteriologist of
the Station, on "The Relation of BO-
vine tuberculosis to That of Man and
It's Significance in the Dairy Herd"
from which we take the following re-
garding the present attitude of
science to the problem of tuberculo-
sis:
1. The danger of the transmission
of the disease from animals to man
has probably been exaggerated in the
past. For adults it is apparently
slight, for children it is perhaps con-
siderably greater.
3. The seriousness of tuberculosis
for the dairy industry has become
more and more manifest in recent
years, until it is clear hat the spread
and increase of the disease among cat
tie is a threat to its very existence.
The dairyman who does not make the
utmost effort to protect his industry
is almost sure to suffer financial loss
as the result of this insidious disease
making its way into his herd and in
time destroying many of his valuable
animals. His safeguards are, the pur-
chase of only such animals as have
been shown to be free from the di-
sease by a properly applied t%uberculin
test, and the frequent use of tubercu-
lin in his herd, for the purpose of iso-
lating or slaughtering reacting ami
mails.
Concerning these conclusions Prof.
Conn remarks: 1t may be properly
noted here that these conclusions are
practically identical with those given
in the report of the Station for 1898.
In that report it was insisted that
milk of tuberculous cattle is danger
Gus for children, but only slightly so
for adults, and this certainly is the
general conclusion reached today.
In connection with some conclu-
sions derived from the facts observed
in a survey of the condition of bovine
tuberculosis in this country and Eu-
rope, given in the report just men
toned, some general remarks were
made which may be proftably sum-
married here. 1t was pointed out that
the farmer would be much aided in
maintaining healthfulness in his herd
by giving his animals plenty of air
and light. Strong sunlight is n of
the best means of destroying the tu-
bercle bacilli; and good, fresh air, and
plenty of it, is one of the best protec-
tions the animals have against acquir-
ing tuberculosis. But while improve
ment in hygienic conditions will help
to keep the herd healthy, it will not
alone suffice to eradicate the disease
when it has once found it's way into
the herd. This must be accomplished
by tuberculin tests and separation of
the diseased animals from those not
diseased. The final disposition of the
reacting animals will depend upon cir
cumstances and must be decided by in
dividual farmers for themselves. They
must choose between immediate
slaughter of the diseased animals, or
the expense of keeping them isolated,
or the greater and more lasting ex-
pense of the spread of the disease
through their herds.
Eradication of bovine tuberculosis
and the salvation of the dairy indus
try must begin with the dairy farmers
themselves. Legislation NAV direct
or advise, and assist, but unless the
farmers themselves are interested it
will be very largely futile. The prac-
teal difficulty in the way of eradicat-
ing the disease by the simple method
suggested is the lack of interest on
the part of the farmers and dairymen.
While some agricultural communities
have become aroused over the matter,
the great mass of farmers manifest no
desire to take it up. In fact they do
not want any legislation concerning
it; they do not want any extension of
the tuberculin test; they do not APP
preciate the gravity of the matter to
themselves; they do not see that the
disease is threatening agriculture, es-
pecially if it has not happened to at
tack their own particular herds.
1t is hardly possible to hope for any
successful combat against this serious
menace while such lack of interest is
found among those who ought to be
the most interested.