The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-28
PROFESSOR kocH's POSITION
ON ANIMAL TUBERCULOSIS.
CANNOT Be TRANSFERRED
Great German Authority Reads Paper
at international Congress That
Creates a Sensation,

Berlin, Oct. 26.-The sensation of
yesterdays session of the interna-
tional tuberculosis congress came to-
ward the end of the sitting, in the
form of a paper by Professor Koch,
in which he maintains all his former
positions regarding the non-transfer-
ability Of animal tuberculosis to man.
Professor Koch began by stating
that he spoke at the desire of the
central committee. He wished to be
understood that his statements re-
ferred exclusively to the transmission
of bovine tuberculosis to men. He
asserted that statistics on the sub
ject of intestinal tuberculosis were
too incomplete to establish the fire.
quency Of that disease. Some author
tiles, said the professor, claim that
intestinal tuberculosis is very COM
mon in the United States and in Eng
land, while ether authorities hold con
trary views. Cases of the diseases
are not frequent in Germany. An in
quiry instituted by the government
has proved the rarity of such cases.
Taking up the alleged proofs that
human beings may be infected with
bovine tuberculosis through skin
LESSONS, Professor Koch admitted that
cases of tuberculosis do occur among
butchers and other persons who han
die animals, but he asserted that the
percentage of sufferers from the dis
ease among joiners is equally as high
as among handlers of animals and
meat. "If," said the professor, infec-'
ton is frequent through milk posi-
tive proof of this ought to be obtain
able. When poison is eaten in a COM
munity widespread effects follow.
How is it that no general infection fol-
lows the eating of tuberculosis cow"
He did not affirm, he said, that the
transmission of tuberculosis from ami
NAL to man was impossible, but that
cases Of the kind were extremely rare
if they did occur. He had collected
% cases of apparent transmission of
tuberculosis bacilli, a very small num-
Der, and in none Of these could the
PURGE of infection be stated positive
ly, the data being complete.
eff measures are taken to combat
animal tuberculosis" went on Pre-
fessor Koch, "they must be on eco
Eomic, not sanitary grounds. In or
der to combat the disease we must
get at the root of it, and establish
better dwellings and workshops, avoid
overcoming and isolate persons who
are affected with tuberculosis bacilli.
This is the only way to meet the IN
envy. Experience with other infec-
tons proves that tuberculosis can be
successfully combatted."
Prolonged cheers followed the read
ing of Professor Koch's paper, which
will be printed in pamphlet form in
a few weeks.
NJ. Nocard, a well-kncwn French
veterinary authority, spoke in opposi-
ton to Professor Koch's views. He
said the statements made by the pro-
fessor led to two conclusions: That
transmission of tuberculosis does not
occur, and that precautions are UNI
necessary. The speaker said a num-
her of experiments made since Pro
fessor Koch's London address proved
that animals rarely take tuberculosis
from men, but that no doubt it can be
contracted. The different degrees of
virulence, he said, depended upon en-
vircnment. The bovine bacillus, M.
Nocard asserted, was more virulent
than the human bacillus. All tuber-
culosis animal products could infect
through alimentation.
M. Nocard concluded by arguing
that bovine tuberculosis is transfer
able to man, especially through milk
from a tuberculosis victim, and that a
tactical diet for children is particular
ly dangerous. He recommended a
rigid inspection of COW stables and
the boiling of all milk. The address
vas loudly %applauded.