The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-07-24
In the Mail Bag
The Tuberculin Test.


culin test which it is proposed TO re-
quire ia herds that furnish milk to the
District:
First Tuberculin was discovered in
1SS2, a quarter Of century ago. and
has not been used to any extent. and
only a few localities have made its use
compulsory. Many States have tried il
and nave abandoned its use
second Prof Koch, who disCov-
cred the tuberCulin. has said over his
name that II was not infanfhle and
could not be relied upon In all cases.
He has also said that tuberculosis in
cattle is not communicable 10 human
beings
Third. Prof. Bang Of Denmark.
has had more experience with tuber-
culin than any other man who has used
IT, and IN one Of his papers he uses the
IoiloWinS quotation "Iubercuiin is not
absolutely 10 be relied upon ana 20
slaughter all reacting cattle is a wan
ton destruction Of valuable animals
Fourth The cows affected the worst
VIII respond the least
FAN To Respond.
Fifth Co.'s wiz not respond after
they have been tested three or four
times, and are immune thereafter
Sixth. Herdsmen and employees en-
gagged ia the dairy are not affected with
tuberculosis nor are the family OF
Ferdsmen affected, but, on the con
trary they are the healthiest people in
Seventh. II the tubercu1iu test is
n19de condition precedent TO the ship
ping OF milk 20 this city. the price of
milk VIII necessarily have 20 be raised
. or cents q quart, and as there are
dl'tL pAiLldLeiy blta8 quarts or mix
used daily. IL viii require about 500 GO
yearly 20 meet the additional cost OF
milk large sum TO be hlChed from
@.~n
IN the name Of philanthropy. without
giving those who are able 20. pay the
eXorbitant price any better milk for
their money. 20 say nothing Of the 10000
poor children who viii never get an op-
portuuity To smell or taste the food
they should have properly to build and
strengthen their tender lives and
bodies
International Commission
I'm further support Of my views. I
quote the following FROM H0ard's
Dairyman with regard 10 an interna-
uonal commission Of control Of tuber-
culgsis or domestic animals:
The following gentlemen were select
ed 10 represent the United States on
this commission W D Hoard. Of Wis
cousIn. a practical dairymau. breeder,
and Editor Of H0ard's Dairymau- DR..
John r MchIer. chief OF the pathology
cal division Of the Federal Bureau Of
Animal Industry Dr. Y. A Moore. pro-
lessor OF pathology and dean Of the
sity- New York: DR. VI. =. Ravenel.
professor or D1crerlDlDZE. University Of
WISCONSIN, and member Of the NisCon-
SIN state I've stock sanitary board Dr.
NJ Il Reynolds professor Of veterinary
medicine University OF Minnesota.
member and organizer Of the Minnesota
state live stock sanitary board and Dr.
= o. Schroeder, su9er1ny cndent Of the
FEDERAL Bureau OF animal Industry Ex-
pertinent station
Canadian Members.
The members selected to represent
the Dominion OF Canada were ". G.
Edwards, ottawa. one Of Canada's most
famous breeders of sEorthorns. = W.
FIaveiIe, OF Toronto, q prominent
Canadian packer Dr. c. A. HoEetts.
chief health officer for the province
Of Ontario. Dr. J G. Rutherford. vet
Urinary director general and live stock
comnissiguer- ottawa, and DR. r Tor
renee, WiuuiQeE. professor 4 veteri-
nary medicine. University OF Manitoba
and prominent Canadian veto riItarian.
The Ersr session Of this commission
was held recently at Buffalo. y y DR..
7. q. Rutherford was elected chairman,
and Dr. 81 II. Reynolds, secretary Of
1 the commission.
1T was sooE agreed that the com
( mission could not WiseI- at this stage
adopt specific resolutions OF recon-
mend specific methods. but q number
t Of general propositions were taken I'D
/ for consideration and on some Of these
Z the commission reached unanimous IN
de-Staudiuz-
That general compulsory tuber-
Culin test and slaughter is inpraC-
teal and should be dropped from
I further consideration
Declare Types Differ.
Before the archaeological section of
I the American Association for the
/ Advancement OF Science, in Boston,
{ Professor Windsor and Professor Pal
mer declared that their investiga-
/ tons showed that the types Of tuber-
/ cular bacHH in the horse. COW, and man
/ are different. and that II IS not settled
: that the lower animals can give the
/ disease 10 man The dairyman has
Steadfastly maintained that the health
/ authorities who are WagiuE war against
I the dairy cattle and advocating the de-
/ STucUou OF reactInE COWS were pro-
Ceeding on an hypothesis.
I The opinion of Prof WinslOw and
I Prof. Palmer as quoted above Is in
4 direct line with that Of Prof Koch, who
Z is the CiSC0VereT Of tuberculin. the fore
/ most paLh0lOgists Of the world now
/ aSree on this point. Prof. Bangs. q
/ Copenhagen. Prof Law. OF Cornell Uni
/ versitv: Prof. Smead and Prot Theo
[ Smith, formerly Of the Z SricuIturaI De
/ paTtment. have all declared against the
I use Of tuberCulin as 2. reliable dag
noStic. and Just why the dairy division
Z Of the Auiaml Industry Bureau and the
I District Health Office. IN the face OF al
I these facts, VIII take the advice OF a
/ few young veterinarians who have
I lately made their advent in the world,
/ and proceed to slaughter valuable herds
and send out alarming reports from
/ their department, which are calculated
I to f-iChten the public and forever pre-
| vent them from the use Of milk in theiI
/ families, Is more than I can understand
Where Hope Lies
It is to be earnestly hoped and de-
sired that some time in the near future
we may have the benefit Of the cOunse
and advice Of some one who viii a
/ least listen TO reason and the genera
iopiniou Of scientific men as It is given OF
70 the world When some bis, broad
minded, brainy men are installed intt
high official positions. and who have tEt
! courage 20 act Independent Of the ap.
pointing power. and who do not in any
J way have TO truCkle TO outside influence
/ we may at least hope for better COndt
I lions TO obtain Under the present rut
iinEs Of those in authority there is abso
1fr+4Ty- f1g. hone cor the dairy business be