Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-08
TUBERCULOSIS IN LIVE STOCK

every part OF the country is
nun s1sIIIvo IslsM puB IrsI 10 sueeu
affected.
The Importance of this disease is diff
hcult to estimate, for because the loss
II entails to cattle owners, there Is the
danger OF communication to human be-
fnes. From 70 to so per cent Of dairy
herds are often affected. and when the
animals have to be destroyed or die as
they viii IN the course OF time the loss
to the owner Is a severe one, and has
put many OF our live stock breeders out
OF business. The other aspect of the case
should be considered seriously by every
which uses milk, since this
Is the staple food of infants and chill
dren and is usually taken in the raw
state. Milk from a COW affected with
may contain millions OF tu-
bercle germs. and young children fed on
the milk often contract the malady.
Meat from affected animals is not so
likely 10 convey the disease because 1t is
cooked before being consumed.
The symptoms of tuberculosis vary
widely. An ocular diagnosis is unsatisfac-
tory, especially in animals since they
may be seriously affected with the dis
ease and show no outward symptoms.
The only reliable means Of diagnosing
this trouble is by what is known as
the tubercular test and every animal
jected to It, not only for the sake of
protecting the owner, but the consumer
as well. Moreover, no animals should be
allowed to come into the state unless II
has been ascertained through this test
that they are free from the disease.
Unthriftiness, loss of flesh, constant
coughing, enlargement Of the glands, loss
OF appetite, bloatng, diarrhoea or scour-
ing, and hard Jumps in the udder are
among the most common symptoms OBJ
served in badly affected animals, and
where any of these symptoms exist an
examination should be PROMPTLY made. On
post-mortem examination COWS affect
ed with tuberculosis often show Jumps
in the substance of an organ, such as
lungs or liver. Sometimes these
Jumps are so small as to be scarcely
at other times they may be
large. When these Jumps are cut open
the inside Is yellowish and grits on the
knife hke sand. The lung is favorite
place for tubercles and this organ should
always be examined. The lymph glands
are often affected. The lymph gland is
a little round body not much larger than
a good sized bean. When affected with
however, they may become
very large.
Tuberculosis is caused by the tubercu-
losis bacillus, a tiny. slender. rod
shaped body. 1t would take several
thousand Of them placed end to end TO
measure an inch. They are, therefore.
invisible to the naked eve. When the
bacillus obtains lodgment in the tissue
OF the body il grows and multiplies with
great rapidity. II does not multiply out
side the animal body, but it can live
for a long time in favorable surround
ings. such as dirty and dark stables.
destroys II; cold does not hur;
ii. but exposure TO 149 degrees Fahren-
heit for 20 minutes will kill it Steam or
boiling water will also destroy it. The
disease is spread largely by the germs
escaping from the mouth and nose, and
from the bowels or in the milk. The
germs are frequently coughed up and
are sprayed over the food in front of
the cow and carried in the air to the
managers OF neighboring animals. If the
germs are carried into the manure hogs
or other animals workin over this
litter are likely to become affected.
There is also danger that the germs may
be carried into the milk vessels. Herds
may become affected by the purchase OF
diseased males though the animal may
be healthy at the time he is
bought Where milk or buttermilk from
COWS is fed to calves they
may become quickly affected with this
trouble. The exhibition of cattle at fairs
where the stables have not been thor
oughly and carefully disinfected has q
tendency to spread the disease. Ship
ping animals in cars that have not been
cleansed is to be guarded
ar,srr
allowed TO Craze with diseased ami
mails infection is almost certain to fol-
low.
The tuberculin test is the standard and
certain method of diagnosing this dis
ease 1t does not injure healthy animals
in the least, but diseased ones respond
quickly to IL, there being a feverish at
tack from eight to ten hours after its
administration. Tuberculin is a fluid
containing the product of the tubercle
germ It does not contain the living
germs and. therefore, cannot spread the
disease. Great skill is required in max
ing il. Where the material has been
prepared. and this should only
be done by experts. and proper precau-
ton in administering is followed, IS per
cent OF the animals reacting will be
found diseased.
is first necessary to test and ascertain
the diseased animals and dispose of
them. The least that can be done is TO
remove the reacting animals from the
healthy herd and keep them separated
therefrom. This applies not only TO sta
bling, but to pasturing. The milk from
diseased cows should be pasteurized.
that is. kept for 20 minutes at a tenn
peTature of 149 degrees Fahrenheit. SAM
taion is also an important weapon in
fighting tuberculosis. Dark, dirty and
crowded stables favor the disease.
Clean, airy and well lighted stables are
unfavorable to the disease. Sanitary
buildings are necessary TO the preserva-
ton of health in animals. Drainage is
an important consideration, ana care
should be taken to see that none of the
liquid escaping from the stables where
diseased animals are kept finds an exit
into fields OF pastures. Whitewashing