Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-02
tuberculosis and Tubercu1;,,

Owing to the fact that tuberculosis
Is the greatest menace to the livestock
industry and that 1t IL Enthusiastically
transmitted from one animal to the
other and even to men. 1t should receive
the interest OF the stockmen, not only
from the standpoint Of his livestock
anloe, but from his own personal healt
from the standpoint OF his live
stock alone. but from his own
personal health and happiness. The
latter in itself should he the
greatest announcement to EXTERN
mate tuberculosis from our herds. Rec
ords show that bovine tuberculosis is
transmitted to man thru the consump-
tfon OF tuberculosis meat While por-
ton OF the people are protected from
consuming carcasses infected with
tuberculosis by the rigid government
inspection held at the larger packing
plants, it does not protect the laity in
the small towns, and does not even
touch upon the most important channel
OF transmission. namely. by the con-
sumption of milk from tuberculous
COWS.
A very prolific source Of the infection
OF hogs from the tubercle bacilli besides
the raw milk OF tuberculous animals
is to be found in the fesces 1t is a
very common practice to allow hogs to
accompany cattle about the feed lot,
and while doing this they thoroughly
work over the faces. thus saving por-
tons OF feed which have passed undi-
gested thru the alimentary tract. In
herds that are not healthy this man
ner OF feeding may be commenced be-
cause OF economy. But whenever there
are tubercuious individuals among cat
tie the danger OF passing the infection
on to the hogs is very great. The
slaughter house statistics show that the
percentage of affected hogs increases
as the disease becomes more common In
cattle. so that we mus, consider not
only the transmission of the disease 10
man from the beef and milk producing
animals. but also the infection to swine.
tuberculosis is much more acute with
hogs than with cattle and has a much
greater tendency 10 generalization
Consequently the parts used for human
fod are more likely to be affected The
last few years show rapid increase
In the amount Of tuberculosis of swine.
The Tubercuiin Test Of Hogs.
There are but few recorded cases OF
reliable tests on hogs This may be
due 10 the fact that the temperature of
hog is subject to rapid changes under
conditions which would not cause not
able variation in cattle These a,tera
tons of temperature in individual hogs
are so great within short spaces OF
time and from apparently insignificant
causes that II seems at first thought
that no change Of temperature caused
by the injection Of tuberculin would
ever be sufficient to permit one TO
diagnose definitely the absence or pres
ence Of tuberculosis
Tuhsrcuiin Test 81 Cattle.
Many stock owners still entertain an
ignorant and unwarranted dread Of the
tuberculin test. It il true that when
recklessly used by careless people II
may be considered Objectionable. Yet
az employed ny the intelligent and
careful expert II Is not only perfectly
safe. but is the only known means OF
ascertaining definitely the actual NUM-
Der OF tuberculous animals in a herd.
II is natural tina. there should be OBJ
jections to Its use among those who are
not acquainted with Its nie:hsEi Of prep
aration or its properties, but 1t is diff
cult to explain the antagonism of farm
ers who are familiar with the facts
Connected with the use an d.nanufacture
Of tubercuhn. Probably the most popu-
lar objection TO suberculin is tina, 1t is
too searching. since il discovers cases
in which the LESSONS are small and OBJ
scure.
While this fact is admitted. it should
also be known that such a small lesion
today may break down and become
widely scattered thruout the system In
shn - an@< .
fected with tuberculosis even TO . slight
degree may be considered as dangerous
not only to other animals in the nerd.
but also to owners who consume or
sell the milk. The tuberculin test:
which is the only known method Of
detecting cattle affected with tubercu-
losis, except those cases which can be
diagnosed in the advanced stages upon
physical examination. is wonderfully
accurate in its indications and has been
universally accepted for the detection
and isolation OF tuberculous cattle.
Preparation Of Tubsrcuiin.
Tuberculin is a drug prepared in
the laboratory by sterilizing and filter
Ing and concentrating the liquids in
which the tubercle bacillus. the germ
causing the disease, has been grown.
It contains the products Of the germ.
but not the organism itself. with Z
small amount Of glycerin extract added
which gives 1t a yellowish color. Or.
in other words. tuberculin is the glyc.
erin extract Of the growth products
produced by the tubercle bacillus, and
does not contain the organism. Conse-
quently when injected unde the skin
Of an animal 1t is absolutely impossible
to produce the disease. or causing
alteration or injury to the animal In
any way. Thousands Of observations
that have been reported assure US OF
this fact.
Tuberculin is Of daily use IN all the
states OF the union. In Canada and in
every country OF Europe: yet, 20 far
not single case OF injury following
Its use has been reported. However. il
the animal has tuberculosis. q decided
rise Of temperature will follow the In
lection Of tuberculin, applying the
tuberculin test. The normal temper.