The Washington times., 1907-02-21
Health Department Insists
That All Diaries Be
Examined.
Contagion From Milk De-
clared Most Common
and Dangerous.
Many Herds Around Wash
ingtOn Said to Be
Infected.

tuberculosis transmitted from miIch
cow to a human being through infected
milk has recently been the subject OK
serious consideration by medical eX-
perts and bacterologists and others in
terested in securing for Washington a
milk supply free from infection.
Elaborate research and wide investi-
cation has been made on the subject.
and it has been demonstrated beyond
any doubt that this source of contagion
IS the most dangerous OF the many
forms Of disease germs with which the
medical profession and health officers
have to contend. The insanitary condi-
ton Of diaries, impure water. and the
careless handling of the milk are grave
questions to be considered. But the con-
sIderatiOn OF the production Of milk, It's
handling, transportation, storage. and
sale are necessary when the question of
animal tuberculosis transmitted 10 the
human being is considered. The COW
the producer and origin Of the milk
must now receive attention from q
health viewpoint that has never before
been given 10 the animal
Must Segregate Cows.
The Veterinary Medical Association Of
Washington has called the attention OF
the Board of Commissioners 10 this
matter. asking that prompt steps be
taken to secure legislation for the com
puisory enforcement OF the tuberculin
test. saying that that organization was
professionally aware that tuberculosis
existed among many of the herds in
this vicinity which contributed 10 our
milk supply. It IS the consensus OF eX-
pert opinion that the only way to stamp
out this white plague among the
mich COWS is to apply the tuDerculin
test and either slaughter or segTegate
jufected cows from the healthy animals.
1t has been shown that this test, gen
orally speaking, is an infallible one
DR.. William &. Woodward, when asked
what II would cost 70 apply this test
10 the herds producing milk in the Dis
trict and those in the surrounding ter
ritOry CT Maryland and Virginia, said
that the question Of cost would depend
entirely upon the number of cows in
a herd, the location as to distance from
the city. the physical condition Of the
COWS. and other things IN explana-
ton of what he meant on this point no
described the tuberculin test.
How Test Is Applied.
"The tuberculin test" said Dr. Wood
ward, us applied in this way: The
veterinary or other expert familiar
with its application first takes the
temperature OF the animal A record Of
these temperature tests are recorded
from time to time Tuberculin. taken
from tuberculosis infected animals
generally the mich COW. are germs re-
suting from the growth Of tuDerclar bac-
GILL These germs are treated in proper
culture mediums, generally a broth.
from which the toxic substance is ex-
tracted- The germs proper are care
fully stNined from the resultant sOlu-
ton. This is the infected poison due
10 the tuberculosis germs. The germs
themselves are not used, as they would
produce the disease.
This solution, impregnated with tn
herClar baCiIlf. is injected into the ami
NAL by means OF hypodermic needle
The result IS carefully watched II the
animal is In any way affected with tu-
berculosis there will be a rapid rise in
temperature. the rise being nOticea Bile
more or less as the subject may be in
fected with the disease. II the COW IS
free from the disease she VIII not re-
spOud TO the test and there is no per
Ceptihle rise III temperature"