Report of the International commission on the control of bovine tuberculosis ... Presented to the American veterinary medical association September, 1910

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REPORT
OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

ON THE CONTROL OF

Bovine Tuberculosis

ae ‘Reprint from
47th Annual Report of the
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION.

Presented to the American Veterinary Medical Association
September, 1910.

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REPORT

OF THE

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

ON THE CONTROL OF

Bovine Tuberculosis

Reprint from
47th Annual Report of the
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION.

Presented to the American Veterinary Medical Association
+
September, 1910.

REPORT

OF THE

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

ON THE

CONTROL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS.

MEMBERS.

Dr. J. G. RutHerrorp, Ottawa, Canada, ‘Chairman.
Dr. M. H. Reywnotps, St. Paul, Minn., ‘Secretary.

Senator W. C. Epwarps, Ottawa, Dr. J. R. Mouter, Washington,

Canada. ‘ D.C.
Mr. J. J. Fercuson, Chicago, Ill. Dr. V. A. Moors, Ithaca, N. Y.
Mr. J. W. FLavetie, Toronto, Can. Dr. M. P. Ravenet, Madison, Wis.
Hon. W. D. Hoarp, Fort Atkinson, Dr. E. C. ScHrorper, Washington,

Wis. D. C.
Dr. C. A. Honcerrs, Toronto, Can. Mr. T. W. Tomiinson, Denver,
Dr. J. N. Hurry, Indianapolis, Ind. Colo.

Dr. F. Torrance, Winnepeg, Can.

MEETINGS.

First meeting, Buffalo, N. Y., December 13 and 14, 1909.
Second meeting, Detroit, Mich., March 1 and 2, Ig1o.
Third meeting, Ottawa, Canada, May 19, 20 and 21, Igto.
Fourth meeting, Madison, Wis., June 27 and 28, 1910.

BY THE
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,

In Annual Meeting assembled, at Chicago, Illinois, in the month
of September, in the year nineteen hundred and nine, the fol-
lowing gentlemen were constituted an International Commission
to study the methods of the control of Bovine Tuberculosis, and
to submit a report to the Association, on the occasion‘of its next
Annual Meeting,—

J. G. Ruruerrorp, Hon. W. C. Epwarps,

LEONARD PEARSON, C. A. Hopcerrs, M. D

V. A. Moors, J. R. Moutgr,

4 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

Hon. W. D. Hoarp, Louis F. Swirt,
Frepertck TorRANCE, J. W. FLAVELLE,
M. H. ReyNno.ps, E. C. SCHROEDER.

The Commission met at Buffalo, New York, on the fifteenth
day of December, nineteen hundred and nine, and elected as
Chairman Dr. J. G. Rutherford, of Ottawa, Canada, and as Sec-
retary, Dr. M. H. Reynolds, of St. Paul, Minnesota. a

Owing to the death of Dr. Leonard Pearson, and the inability
to act of Mr. Louis Swift, the President appointed in the stead
of these two gentlemen respectively, Dr. M. P. Ravenel of Madi-
son, Wisconsin, and Mr. T. W. Tomlinson of Denver, Colorado.
Later at the request of the Commission the President appointed
Mr. J. J. Ferguson, of Chicago, Ill, as a representative of the
United States Packing Industry, and Dr. J. N. Hurty of In-
dianapolis, Indiana, as representative of the Medical Health Offi-
cers of the United States.

REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON
THE CONTROL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS.

To the President of the American Veterinary Medical Association:

Owing to the great economic and sanitary significance of ani-
mal tuberculosis to the live stock industry of America, and the
many and varied factors which must of necessity be accounted
with in formulating successful measures for its eradication, the
American Veterinary Medical Association, at its meeting in Chi-
cago in September, 1909, appointed the International Commission
on the Control of Bovine Tuberculosis. The Commission was in-
structed to study the problem of tuberculosis among cattle and
to report at the next meeting of the Association upon reason-
able and economically practicable methods or systems to be re-
commended to both officials and live stock owners for eradica-
ting this great scourge of domesticated animals.

It is recognized that tuberculosis is widely prevalent among
cattle and other animals and that the frequency with which this
great evil occurs is increasing rather than declining. As tuber-
culosis is one of the strictly preventable infections, there is good
ground for the belief that through the formulation and enforce-

ment of proper regulations the disease may eventually be entirely
suppressed,

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 5

The Commission has held four meetings as follows :—Buffalo,
New York, December 13 and 14, 1909; Detroit, Michigan, March
1 and 2, 1910; Ottawa, Canada, May 19, 20 and 21, 1910;
Madison, Wisconsin, June 27 and 28, 1910; all of which were
well attended, very few of the members having on any occa-
sion been absent. The Commission begs to present as a result
of its labours the following report which, although brief, will, on
examination, be found to comprise the principal points essential
to the promulgation of a comprehensive and practical policy, such
as may reasonably be adopted by any governmental body interested
in the control of bovine tuberculosis.

It is quite unnecessary in view of the extensive knowledge al-
ready possessed by all who are familiar with the efforts which
have hitherto been made to secure control of bovine tuberculosis,
to dwell at any length upon the importance of the subject or upon
the conditions which led to the formation of the Commission.

In view of the personnel of the Commission as selected by the
American Veterinary Medical Association, and of the fact that
so much information on the subject has been: made available
through the work of similar bodies in other countries, and the
researches of scientific and practical men in America and else-
where, the Commission has not deemed it necessary to take any
evidence either from expert witnesses or others.

The members fully understood that the purpose which their
appointment was intended to serve was less the acquisition of new-
knowledge regarding bovine tuberculosis, than the careful study
of the knowledge already available, and of the thoughts and
opinions of those most entitled to speak with authority on the
subject.

The conclusions reached in this report are, therefore, simply

the outcome of an earnest and thoughtful consideration of the
various modern aspects and phases of the problem, with the
object of crystallizing public opinion and so clearing the way
for legislative action.
_ They realized also that they could deal with fundamental prin-
ciples only, and that the details of any policy which they might
outline, must in each case, be worked out by the duly authorized
and responsible representatives of the community immediately
concerned.

They nevertheless deemed it essential to study closely the his-
tory of the various efforts hitherto made by such countries

6 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

throughout the world as have attempted to legislate on the subject.

This naturally led to the gradual elimination of all methods
other than such as might reasonably be adopted by any com-
munity desiring, in the full light of present day knowledge, to
undertake the control of bovine tuberculosis.

It was felt, in view of the prevale.ice of the disease, especially
in some localities and among certain classes of cattle, the diffi-
culty of providing a sufficient number of trained officials and the
large economic questions involved, to say nothing of the enormous
expenditure, that it would be unwise for the present at least, to
seriously discuss a policy of universal compulsory testing and
slaughter.

Such a policy might perhaps be adopted with advantage by a
small community, or one in which the disease existed to a very
limited extent, but speaking generally, especially in view of past
experiences in this line, it was thought better to omit it entirely
from the recommendations of the Commission. :

All other methods of dealing with bovine tuberculosis which
have been recommended or tried in various communities, were
thoroughly discussed, with the object of discarding weak points
and adopting such features as might be deemed worthy of a place
in the official findings of the Commission.

Every phase of the subject was in this way fully and freely
considered, it being thought best to cover the whole ground as
completely as possible before coming to a definite decision on any
one point.

In order to still further minimize the risk of omitting from
the deliberations of the Commission any phase of the question,
four committees were appointed at the first meeting to deal re-
spectively with :—

(1) Education and legislation,

(2) Location of tuberculosis,

(3) Dissemination,

(4) Disposition of tuberctilous animals.

The appointment of these committees proved to be of the great-
est possible value in concentrating the energies of the various
members on those branches of the subject with which they were
most familiar, and their reports presented at subsequent meetings
enabled the Commission to reach satisfactory conclusions much
more rapidly than would otherwise have been the case,

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 7

As a means of furnishing information as to the reasons for
these conclusions and the manner in which they were reached,
the Commission would recommend that the reports of the com-
mittees should be published as an appendix to this report.

The Commission recognizing after careful study that the tuber-
culin test is the fundamental factor in any policy having for its
object the control of bovine tuberculosis, decided that a pronounce-
ment to that effect should properly occupy a foremost place.

Based on the information contained -in the reports of its Com-
mittees and on such other information as was brought out in the
general discussions of the Commission, the following resolutions
were adopted for presentation to the American Veterinary Medical
Association.

RESOLUTION 1. DISSEMINATION.

As a general policy to be observed all contact between tuber-
culous and healthy cattle and between healthy cattle and stables,
cars, etc., which may contain living tubercle bacilli should be
prevented. To accomplish this the following specific recommenda-
tions are made :—

1. There should be no sale or exchange of animals affected with
tuberculosis except for immediate slaughter or for breeding pur-
poses under official supervision.

2. That the managements of live stock shows should give prefer-
ence to cattle known to be free from tuberculosis, either by pro-
viding special classes for such cattle or in some other practical
way, and should also take every precaution to prevent contact
between such animals and those not known to be free from disease.
3. All live stock shippers should take every precaution to see
that cars furnished are thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before
use.

RESOLUTION 2. TUBERCULIN TEST.

1. That tuberculin, properly used, is an accurate and reliable
diagnostic agent for the detection of active tuberculosis.
2. That tuberculin may not ‘produce a reaction under the fol-
lowing conditions :—

(a) ‘When the disease is in a period of incubation.

(b) When the progress of the disease is arrested.

8 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

(c) When the disease is extensively generalized.
The last condition is relatively rare and may usually ‘be detected
by physical examination.
3. On account of the period of incubation and the fact that ar-
rested cases may sooner or later become active, all exposed animals
should be retested at intervals of six months to one year.
4. That the tuberculin test should not be applied to any animal
having a temperature higher than normal.
s. That any animal having given one distinct reaction to tuber-
culin should thereafter be regarded as tuberculous.
6. That the subcutaneous injection of tuberculin is the only
method of using tuberculin for the detection of tuberculosis in
cattle which can be recommended at the present time.
7. That tuberculin has no injurious effect on healthy cattle.

RESOLUTION 3. EVIDENCE FROM TUBERCULIN TEST.

That a positive reaction to tuberculin in any properly conducted
test, official or otherwise, in any animal in any herd, shall be
considered evidence sufficient upon which to declare the herd to
be infected.

RESOLUTION 4. COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION.

That this Commission recommends the passage of legislation
providing for the compulsory notification by owners and by
veterinarians of the existence of tuberculosis in a herd, whether
such existence be made known by detection of clinical cases or
by the tuberculin test.

RESOLUTION 5. LOCATION THROUGH SLAUGHTER.

This Commission recognizes that the discovery of tuberculosis
in animals slaughtered for food purposes furnishes one of the
best possible means of locating the disease on the farm, and there-
fore recommends the adoption of some system of marking, for
purposes of identification, all cattle three years old and over
shipped for slaughter.

As, tuberculosis of hogs is almost invariably due to bovine
infection, this recommendation should also be made to apply to
hogs of any age shipped for slaughter. eee

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 9

It is further recommended that the discovery of tuberculosis
in animals coming under government inspection should be used
whenever identification is possible, as a means of locating infected
herds and premises. All such cases should be reported to the
proper authorities for control action.

RESOLUTION 6. DISPOSITION OF TUBERCULOUS ANIMALS.

THE COMMISSION PLAN.

1. As a general ‘policy in the eradication of tuberculosis the
separation of healthy and diseased animals, and the construction
of a healthy herd are recommended.

In order to accomplish this, the following recommendations
are made :—

(1) If the herd is found to be extensively infected, as shown
by the tuberculin test or clinical examination, even the apparently
healthy animals in it should be regarded with suspicion, until
they have been separated from the reacting animals for at least
three months.

If after the expiration of this time they do not react to the
tuberculin test, they may be considered healthy and dealt with
accordingly.

It is recommended that a herd extensively infected should not
be treated by the method of general separation, but that the con-
struction of a new herd from the offspring only is advisable.

(2) If the herd is found, by either or both of the above
methods, to contain a relatively small proportion of diseased
animals separation of the diseased animals from the healthy ani-
mals, and the construction of a sound herd from the healthy
animals, and the offspring of both, is advocated.

As a working basis in carrying out these principles, we advise,

(a) That herds containing fifty per cent or more of diseased
animals be treated as coming under section one.

(b) That herds containing under fifteen per cent of diseased
animals be treated as coming under section two.

(c) That herds falling between these figures be graded accord-
ing to the option of the owner.

(d) That it shall be the prerogative of the owner, to reject
either plan and have his herd dealt with by removal and slaughter
of diseased animals, with or without compensation, according
to the public policy in operation.

10 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

2. ‘That when by any means the officials properly charged with
the control of tuberculosis become aware of its existence in a
herd to which a policy of slaughter and compensation cannot
reasonably be applied, such herd must be dealt with by the owner,
under government supervision, on the principle of the separation
of all sound animals ftom those affected. Such separation must
be effected by treating the whole herd as diseased, and rearing
the calves separately, either on pasteurized milk or the milk of
healthy cows, or when the number of those affected is so small
as to warrant such a course, by the application to the whole herd,
from time to time, under official supervision, of the tuberculin test,
and the entire segregation of all animals found to react.

‘In the event of any owner refusing or neglecting to adopt
either of the above methods, his entire herd to be closely quaran-
tined, and sales therefrom to be entirely prohibited.

3. That a policy of compensation be recommended as useful
and usually necessary as a temporary measure.

4. ‘That, when slaughter is necessary, in order to avoid economic
loss, every effort should be made to utilize as far as possible the
meat of such animals as may be found fit for food on being
slaughtered under competent inspection.

5. The details of the Commission Plan will be found fully set
forth in the Appendix to this report.

RESOLUTION 7. PREVENTION.

1. That, with the object of preventing the spread of infection,
persons buying cattle for breeding purposes or milk production
should, except when stich purchases are made from disease free
herds which have been tested by a properly qualified person,
purchase only subject to the tuberculin test. In order to assist
in the proper carrying out of this suggestion, the Commission
recommends that official authorities should adopt such Regulations
as will prevent the entry to their respective territories of cattle
for breeding purposes or milk production unless accompanied
by satisfactory tuberculin test charts.

2. That all milk and milk by-products used as food should be

properly pasteurized unless from cows known to be free from
tuberculosis.

Commission Report: Tuberculosis, 11

RESOLUTION 8. CONTROL OF TUBERCULIN TEST.

That this Commission recommends the passage of legislation
which will prevent the sale, distribution or use of tuberculin by
any persons other than those acting with the full knowledge,
or under the direction, of official authorities.

RESOLUTION 9. EDUCATION.

As a clear knowledge of the cause and character of tuberculosis
among animals, the modes of dissemination, its significance as
an economic and as a public health problem, underlie an intelligent
adherence to the principles that must be observed in all efforts
for eradication, as well as the establishment of proper cooperation
in the great work between physicians, veterinarians, live stock
owners, legislators, and the public generally, it is recommended
that a widespread campaign of education be undertaken. To ac-
complish this end it is recommended that first of all a simple
pamphlets on bovine tuberculosis be written, in which the language:
used shall be of such character that every person of average intel-
ligence shall be able to read it without being mystified by technical
terms or phrases. This pamphlet should be published with the
endorsement of the American Veterinary Medical Association
and the special endorsement and consequent authority of the In-
ternational Commission on Bovine Tuberculosis Control.

RESOLUTION 10. PUBLICITY.

In concluding its work the Commission desires to especially
appeal to the press, metropolitan, agricultural and local to join in
the work of extending as much as possible among the people the
conclusions here arrived at. The vital importance of the life of
farm animals to the welfare of all classes of society needs no
argument in its support. The aim and sole purpose which has
actuated this Commission has been to arrive at the soundest con-
clusions possible in the light of the best knowledge obtainable.

RESOLUTION 11. LEGISLATION.

It is recommended that legislation regarding the control and
eradication of tuberculosis among domestic animals be made

12 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

uniform ; that the laws of the United States and Canada and other
American countries for the admission into America of animals
from without be made stringent and as much alike as possible;
and that the laws governing the interstate and inter-provincial
movement of cattle and that between different American countries
be harmonized.

The laws governing inter-state and inter-provincial movement
of cattle should be of such character that every state and every
province will be free in its eradication work from unnecessary
difficulties due to the existence of the disease in other states and
provinces.

Legislation is especially required to prevent the various frauds
which interfere with the satisfactory use of tuberculin as a diag-
nostic agent for tuberculosis, as well as for official supervision
over all tuberculin sold to be used by veterinarians and others.

RESOLUTION 12. SANITATION.

In the eradication of tuberculosis it should be kept in mind
that, in addition to protecting animals against exposure to tubercle
bacilli, it is desirable to make them as resistant to infection as
possible. This can be done by stabling them in clean disinfected
and properly ventilated and lighted barns, giving them abundant
clean water and nutritious food, a sufficient amount of daily
exercise in the open air, and attending generally to those condi-
tions which are well known to contribute to the health of animals.

The daily removal of manure from stables, and water tight
floors and good drainage in stables are urgently recommended.

Young stock particularly should be raised as hardy as possible
and should be accustomed to liberal exercise and living in the
open.

RESOLUTION 13. IMMUNIZATION.

That as none of the various methods for the immunization of
animals against tuberculosis have passed sufficiently. beyond the
experimental stage the Commission is unable to endor

se any of
these for practical use at the present time.

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 13

RESOLUTION 14. ANIMAL TUBERCULOSIS AND PUBLIC
HEALTH.

While the members recognize that the subject with which this
Commission is primarily intended to deal is the control and eradi-
cation of tuberculosis among animals as an economic problem
they cannot feel satisfied without declaring their recognition of
the fact that tuberculosis among animals is also an important
public health problem. Considered as such, the eradication of
tuberculosis among animals should have the approval and support
of all those persons who are interested in curtailing human suffer-
ing and prolonging human life.

RESOLUTION 15. GENERAL STATEMENT.

The members of the Commission wish to be clearly understood
that they recognize the limitations of a report necessarily based
on actual and not on theoretical conditions. They fully realize
that in the event of the policy of which their recommendations
form the framework, being anywhere adopted even in its entirety,
much greater benefit will be derived, at least for some time, from
its educative than from its executive features.

The control to say nothing of the eradication of bovine tuber-
culosis, is impossible of achievement, without the hearty coopera-
tion of all the men who are actually engaged in the cattle industry.
In order to secure this cooperation, it will doubtless be necessary,
in most communities, to carry on an active and prolonged edu-
cational campaign.

It is apparent that in the dissemination of practical and reliable
information regarding the disease, it will be possible to employ
a very large variety of methods. .Many of these methods, such
as bulletins, lectures and actual demonstrations of disease, having
already been found valuable, will doubtless continue to be largely
used.

It must not be forgotten however, that in this, as in any other
educative process, a measure of disciplinary control is essential
to success.

Needless to say such control can be secured only by the passage
of legislation which, while clear and comprehensive must, at the
same time, be sufficiently conservative to aveid exciting alarm
or arousing antagonism on the part of owners especially of valu-
able herds.

14 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

The best law ever framed can be made an utter failure by stupid
or injudicious administration, while, on the other hand, the most
drastic legislation can be rendered acceptable if enforced with
reasonable tact and diplomacy.

Provided therefore, that these qualities, combined with in-
tegrity, thoroughness, and determination, are available for admin-
istrative purposes, the members of the Commission are convinced
that the enforcement of a law based on their recommendations,
will prove to be by far the most powerful and effective educational
agency which could possibly be employed.

In concluding its Report the Commission would suggest that
the Association should make such provision as may be necessary
to carry on the work either by continuing the Commission as at
present constituted or with such changes in the personnel as may
be considered desirable.

(Signed) Wa. C. Epwarps.
J. N. Hurry.
E. C. ScHROEDER,
J. J. Fercuson.
J. R. Mouser,
T. W. Tomiinson.
J. W. FLAVELLE.
V. A. Moore.
F. Torrance.

W. D. Hoarp.
Mazycx P. Ravens, M. D.

Cuas. A. Hopcerrs, M. D.
J. G. Ruruerrorp, Chairman,
M. H. Reynotps, Secretary.

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 15

APPENDICES TO THE REPORT

OF THE

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

ON THE
CONTROL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS.

Appendix A Report of the Committee on Education and Legis-
lation.

Appendix B Report of the Committee on Location of Tuber-
culosis.

Appendix C Report of the Committee on Dissemination.

Appendix D Report of the Committee on the disposition of
tuberculous animals.

Appendix E Details of the Commission plan for dealing with
tuberculous animals.

Appendix A.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND
LEGISLATION.

The Subcommittee on Education respectfully submit the fol-
lowing :—

Bovine tuberculosis has become widely distributed throughout
the United States~and Canada and it has been determined that
efficient systems or methods for its eradication and prevention
either under the supervision of the state or nation or by the cattle
owners themselves are of necessity based on a knowledge of the
nature of the disease and its means of dissemination.

Experience has shown that the principles of eradication and
prevention may be successfully applied by individual owners of
infected cattle, independent of state assistance.

Such individual aid is essential in conjunction with state or na-
tional assistance in the prompt eradication of the disease from
infected herds and the prevention of its entry to non-infected
herds.

16 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

Therefore it is the sense of this committee that every possible
means should be employed for educating the cattle owners and the
general public concerning the nature of tuberculosis; the care and
precautions necessary to prevent its entrance into herds already
free from the disease; and in methods for its eradication from
herds where it now exists.

Further, this committee approves of the following methods for
instructing laymen, practicing veterinarians, practitioners of hu-
man medicine and health officers in the nature and control of
bovine tuberculosis, namely:

1. By the publication in agricultural and dairy papers of short
accurately and carefully prepared articles on bovine tuberculosis.

2. By publication of appropriate articles on bovine tuber-
culosis in veterinary, medical and sanitary papers and journals.

3. By recommending to agricultural societies, granges and di-
rectors of farmers’ institutes and unions and especially those
interested in creameries and cheese factories that lectures on
bovine tuberculosis, its nature and control, be made a part of their
programs and that so far as practicable, demonstrations be held.

4. That those having in charge the arrangement of town,
county and state fairs be requested to provide lectures on bovine
tuberculosts, and if practicable to hold public demonstrations, at
their annual meetings.

5. By placing a copy of the report of the commission in the
hands of the deans or directors of all veterinary and medical
colleges and schools of sanitary science in the United States and
Canada with recommendations that special emphasis be placed
in their’ courses of instruction on the nature of bovine tuber-
culosis and methods for its control. 3

6. That a pamphlet dealing with the nature of bovine tubercu-
losis and methods for its control should be written in language
intelligible to the layman. ‘This pamphlet should have the ap-
proval of this commission and the endorsement of the American
Veterinary Medical. Association. It should be published for free
distribution. a

VE That Departments of Agriculture, state veterinarians, live
stock sanitary boards and others interested in the official control
of bovine tuberculosis be requested to promote as much as possible
the educational features of their work, with the object of obtain-
ing more support and cooperation from cattle owners,

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 17

The methods suggested for carrying out an educational propa-
ganda are not to be considered at the exclusion of any and all
other ways by which the public may become informed on the na-
ture of bovine tuberculosis, its great economic importance and the
necessity for an intelligent and united effort on the part of cattle
owners and those having charge of the control of animal diseases
to eradicate this great scourge.

The Committee is of the opinion, from the history of the legis-
lation regarding bovine tuberculosis in those states and countries
which have attempted to deal radically with the problem, as well
as from the special information which has been furnished by this
committee to its members, and the light thrown upon the subject
in the discussions at its several meetings, that in order to avoid
friction and failure, all important legislation with reference’ to
tuberculosis must be prepared with due consideration for the con-
dition of public sentiment and information on this subject. That
tuberculosis control work should be developed in a progressive
way. That tuberculin tests made at a distance for public recogni-
tion (for example, in other states or foreign countries) can only be
done satisfactorily by official veterinarians. That the Delepine or
Manchester plan of tuberculosis free areas gradually extended
seems worthy of cautious trial.

(Signed) M. H. Reynotps, Chairman.
W. D. Hoarp.
J. G. RuTHERFORD,

Gov. Hoard’s Report.

EDUCATIONAL MEANS FOR THE SUPPRESSION AND
CONTROL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Commission:

I place a high value on the work this Commission may do if
performed wisely, in shaping the conviction and purpose of the
people of Canada and the United States concerning the prevention
and control gf bovine tuberculosis.

As yet, that conviction is but little more than an ill defined
dread of something not clearly understood by the great mass of
farmers. Added to this dread is a hope stronger yet, that the evil
is not as great as has been asserted ; that it is a scare that will soon
pass over. As yet, in the minds of farmers and breeders generally,
esnerially in those Incalities where demonstration work has not

18 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

been had, there is a strong under current of conviction that all
this talk about the disease is an interested plea of the veterina-
rians, that the trouble does not amount to much if the doctors and
editors would hold their tongues and pens.

Just as long as this bank of fog exists, it will control all legis-
lation and individual effort, to get rid of the difficulty. At
the bottom of the matter is a wide spread ignorance on the
part of farmers as to the danger that threatens them; it is difficult
to arouse them out of their conservation, for as yet, all they know
about it is talk.

The conservatism of intelligence is vastly different from that
which exists because of a lack of knowledge. The first demands
more light; the latter dreads light.

From what I have seen in Wisconsin, I am convinced that the
most powerful aid to that action against the disease which this
Commission is so anxious to bring about, is public demonstration.
One animal slaughtered before a body of farmers, and the diseased
parts exposed to their plain view, is worth more to foster convic-
tion and inspire effort than anything else that can be done. If
the federal and state governments would devote means for
this demonstration work, it would prove a most powerful educator.
Public agitation, in farmers’ gatherings, and the talk of the Agri-
cultural Press is useful mainly, in keeping alive an interest in
the subject. But gentlemen, we must remember that with the
majority of men, a large majority,—‘‘Seeing is believing”.

I believe therefore, that this Commission should use its influence
in urging legislation by municipalities, and state and national
legislatures for the spread and support of this demonstration work.
Great care must be exercised, however, to select only such animals
as will amply show forth the ravages of the disease. The great
progress we have made in legislation in Wisconsin, and in secur-
ing wide spread acquiescence in the use of the tuberculin test,
would never have come had it not been for a large number of
public demonstrations held in various parts of the state.

We have gone as far as this in legislation: After December Ts
be tuberolin tested. ‘This, I beleve, ee aes arpoess st et

. , » 1s a step further in advance
than has been taken by any other state. It shows well the to
and temper of our farmers and the work which has been done -
acquaint them with a true understanding of the situation, It i
needless for me to say that if they are for the law, or “_ oe

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 19

it goes; if they are against it, it is at best a dead letter. It is worth
a great deal in the promotion of such objects, to have a live stock
sanitary board in a state that will take hold and lead in this
work. In too many instances these organizations are purely nega-
tive, in their influence, and so nothing is done. ‘There is a notable
lack of funds to bear the expense of demonstration work. The
farmers everywhere would willingly be taxed for its support.
Municipalities could well afford to have such expense for the
“sake of the education it would afford to consumers of meat and
dairy products.

In conclusion, I would urge upon this Commission that special
emphasis be placed upon the promotion of public exhibitions of
diseased cattle before and after slaughter, as the most powerful
means of education concerning the nature and danger, of bovine
tuberculosis.

(Signed) W. D. Hoar.

Appendix B.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LOCATION OF TUBER-
CULOSIS IN CATTLE.

Your committee on the location of tuberculosis in cattle desires
to submit the following as its report upon this subject. Though
we are all agreed that no method for detecting tuberculosis in
cattle equals the tuberculin test, we are forced to recognize that’
the universal application of the test under existing conditions is
practically and economically impossible. The number of cattle to
be tested, for example, is so great that, if all the available veter-
inarians and all such other persons as may be trusted to make
tuberculin tests should be started on this work at once, and kept
at it, years would pass before all the cattle in the United States and
Canada could be tested even a single time. Consequently, our
efforts to locate tuberculosis among cattle should depend primarily
upon other means than the tuberculin test.

The tuberculin test should be regarded as having only an inci-
dental value in the systematic work of locating tuberculosis, and
as being of preeminent importance when we undertake the deter-
mination of the extent to which the disease is prevalent at any
point in any herd where it has been located by other means or,
incidentally by the tuberculin test.

20 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

In the order of seeming importance the means of location may
be placed as follows:

I. NOTIFICATION.

A law should be enacted requiring any and every person having
knowledge of the existence of a case of tuberculosis among cattle
to report the same without delay to some proper, designated
authority. Such a law would be practically equivalent to the
obligatory reporting of all clinical cases of tuberculosis which
must be recognized as the most serious disseminators of tubercle
bacilli and propagators of tuberculosis.

Since all cases of tuberculosis that are centers from which in-
‘fection is being scattered, gradually become clinically recognizable, .
obligatory notification of all recognized cases of tuberculosis
would alone in the course of a few years locate the majority if
not all badly diseased herds. It would certainly locate tuber-
culous cattle and herds faster than they can be handled for some
years to come.

7 Il. EVIDENCE THROUGH MEAT INSPECTION.

An effort should be made to trace tuberculous animals back from
slaughter-houses to the farms from which they were derived.
‘This is important because if the well-conditioned animals which
go to slaughter for meat are tuberculous it is probable that among
the animals retained on the farm some active disseminators of
tubercle bacilli exist, which are retained at the farm either through
ignorance or a false idea of economy.

Meat inspection has already done much to establish infected
areas from which tuberculous animals have been sent to market. At
present, however, it is difficult to trace animals to the farms from
which they were shipped, and some method of identification by
means of which any animal found on the killing floor to be tuber-
culous can be traced to its place of origin is greatly to be desired.
A federal law requiring’ appropriate tagging, branding or other-
lide Mele cies
these aniinals moving within tie st . one - ee ae
means of locating a ae pat of th ‘ ae eA RA a
Experimental work of this character which by ae aes

as been: carried out

Commission Report: Tuberculosis, 21

in the past has given very interesting results. For instance, when
the occurrence of tuberculosis among hogs at an abattoir is fol-
lowed up by a tuberculin test of the cattle on the home farm
it practically always discloses tuberculosis among these animals.
Like much other evidence this encourages us to believe that tuber-
culosis among hogs will cease to exist as an economically im-
portant problem as soon as we succeed in controlling the bovine
source of tubercle bacilli.

III. THE TUBERCULIN TEST.

When the tuberculin test is applied to cattle for any purpose it
should be clearly understood that the reacting animals are to be
regarded in every sense of the word as recognized cases of tuber-
culosis, which under an obligatory notification law, must be re-
ported at once to the proper authority. In this way tuberculin
will serve as an important means of locating tuberculosis among
cattle that are tested for reasons like the following:

(1) To obtain healthy animals for export.

(2) To make sure that animals imported are free from tuber-
culosis. -

(3) To make sure that animals intended for interstate
movement are free from tuberculosis. And here we would like
to suggest that the states should protect themselves as much as
possible against bovine tuberculosis by insisting that no new
cattle shall be brought in until they have been shown by the
tuberculin test to be free from tuberculosis. The time we may
hope is not far off when even breeders of exceptionally fine strains
of blood will begin to realize that the very best blood coupled
with tuberculous infection is an article to be shunned, not because
we wish to imply that tuberculosis is hereditary, but because we
know how readily it is conveyed from animal to animal by contact.

(4) To obtain milk from animals shown in the most con-
clusive manner to be free from tuberculosis, irrespective of
whether the milk is intended for special certification or for more
general or regular city use.

(5) To satisfy an owner of cattle that his herd is free from
tuberculosis or to give him the information he needs to clean his
herd from disease.

In whatever way the tuberculin test is applied, or for whatever
purpose, all positive reactions obtained should be regarded as

92, Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

placing the reacting animal in the category of recognized cases of
tuberculosis, which must be reported under a notification law.

As the newer methods of applying tuberculin for test purposes
have not been found to be as reliable as the older, subcutaneous
method, they cannot be advocated. The ophthalmo and cutaneous
tuberculin tests may have a value in some special cases, as for ex-
ample, where doubt exists about the reliability of a subcutaneous
test because an animal may have been subjected to some per-
nicious manipulation. In this sense these later modes of applying
tuberculin should be kept in mind.

IV. EXAMINATION OF MATERIAL FROM CATTLE AND
HERDS.

The valuable evidence that may be obtained as to the location of
tuberculosis through the examination of milk, cream, butter, cen-
trifuge slime and other products and materials from cattle should
not be neglected, especially when these examinations are made
by health officers and others for the protection of public health,
and are followed up by the inspection of the animals and the
character of their environment as a routine procedure. Such in-
spections are constantly becoming more prevalent in various sec-
tions of the United States and Canada,

V. MOST IMPORTANT SOURCES OF ANIMAL TUBERCULOSIS.

Tuberculosis as it exists among the domestic animals of America,
today, undoubtedly owes its primary introduction to the cattle of
improved breeding that have been imported from European lands
from time to time in the past, for the purpose of improving the
. native stock of the country. No particular breed is to be in-
criminated in this charge, as several of the most prominent and
popular breeds have been found guilty of furnishing tuberculous
individuals to the best American herds on repeated occasions.
The knowledge that infection has taken place from these sources
in the past affords us a valuable indicator of the points where
search should be made in our efforts to detect the cases of tuber-
culosis that exist to-day upon the farms of the country, First of all
then, attention may be directed toward all herds of pure bred cattle
whether of beef or dairy type, especially to those from which cattle
are sold, either by private or public sale, and from which cattle.are

Commission Report: Tuberculosis, 23

thus distributed to various parts of the country; also to herds
from which members are exhibited at fairs and exhibitions: and
herds which keep males for custom service.

In addition to these herds of pure bred cattle there are many
others to which well bred stock has been added for the purpose
of grading uv and improving the quality of the individuals of
the herd.

These in some instances have received the infection of tuber-
culosis with the new animals from which such great benefits
had been expected, and these herds of well graded cattle should
also be regarded with suspicion until they have been proved to
be free of tuberculosis. Next in order should come all: dairy
cattle, but the methods by which the disease may be located in
these herds has been disctissed above.

(Signed) Jonn R. Mouter, Chairman.
J. W. FLAVELLE.
C. A. Hopcerrs,

Appendix C.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DISSEMINATION OF
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS.

The subcommittee on the dissemination of bovine tuberculosis
respectively submits the appended report on the means for tlie
dissemination of this disease, based on the present knowledge
of the life history of the tubercle bacillus. The possible means
for the dissemination of this disease are enumerated as follows:

“a. The introduction into a sound herd of an animal or animals

affected with tuberculosis (a) those with open tuberculosis (b)
those in which the disease is in a period of incubation and (c)
those in which the lesions are temporarily arrested.

The last group will not transmit the infection speedily and pos-
sibly may never do so. The first group is certain to spread the
virus.

2. By feeding calves milk, whole or separated, buttermilk or
whey, where the milk has come from tuberculous cows.

3. ‘By bringing cattle suffering from open tuberculosis in con-
tact with healthy ones at fairs, cattle shows and other exhibitions,

4. By shipping healthy cattle in cars not thoroughly disin-
fected, recently occupied by tuberculous cattle.

24 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

3. By placing healthy cattle in stables that have not been thor-
oughly disinfected and which were recently occupied by tubercu-
lous animals, as frequently happens with the change of farm own-
ership or tenants.

6. Tuberculous animals which do not react to tuberculin, such
as those in the period of incubation or latent cases, but which
develop active tuberculosis later, are frequently carriers of the
virus although bought and sold as sound animals. These can
not at present be differentiated from sound animals. Therefore
all cattle coming from herds in which the disease exists should be
considered as suspicious. The sound herd is the unit to deal with.

7. Tubercle bacilli may be transmitted by tuberculous cattle
running in a pasture to healthy cattle in adjoining pastures where
they are separated by a fence of such nature that the cattle may
get their noses together. i

8. Tuberculosis in cattle rarely, if ever, occurs through infec-
tion from (a) man, either directly or as a carrier of bovine tubercle
bacilli, (b) from other species of animals, or (c) by infection
from the droppings of crows, buzzards or other birds or carnivo-
rous animals that have fed upon the carcasses of tuberculous cattle.
It is the opinion of this committee that bovine tuberculosis is
spread largely through the introduction of tuberculous cattle into
sound herds; by the feeding of calves with infected milk, or milk
products; by exposing sound animals to infected ones at fairs, or
other cattle shows; and by exposing them to infected cars and
stables. There are other ways in which now and then it is ‘pos-
sible that an animal may become infected but the means.of dissem-
ination mentioned in this paragraph are those to be guarded
against in formulating efficient methods of control.

(Signed) V. A. Moore, Chairman.
E. C. ScHROEDER.
M. P. RavENeEL,.

Appendix D.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DISPOSITION OF TUBER-
CULOUS ANIMALS.
Your committee on the Disposition of Tuberculous Animals
begs to submit the following report:
In the work of control and eradication of tuberculosis in ani-
mals it is first of all of the utmost importance to establish the

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 25

presence of the disease in all the affected cattle, since only by
such a procedure will it be possible to guard the healthy and
newly born animals from infection.

Fortunately we are in a position to determine with consider-
able certainty the vast majority of occult cases of tuberculosis in
cattle, even the incipient cases, with the aid of tuberculin, and
the clinical cases by physical examination. ‘This alone consti-
tutes a great advantage in the work of suppression of the disease.
The tuberculin test should therefore be considered as a very
important step in the eradication of tuberculosis. As a matter
of fact all the recognized authorities on the subject are agreed
on this point. Once the tuberculous animals are recognized con-
sideration must be given to the most suitable and economical
way of eradicating the disease from the herd. This naturally
brings up the question of the disposition of the tuberculous ani-
mals, and in adopting any particular method one should be guided
by the extent of the infection of the herd, the quality of the
affected animals, the sanitary condition of the premises, and last
but not least, the owner’s intelligence and knowledge of the sub-
ject. The latter information is necessary to determine if reliance
can be placed on the owner to carry out minutely all the details
which are essential in executing any particular method of eradi-
cation that may he decided upon. The owner’s cooperation in this
work is without doubt a very essential feature of this great task.
For this reason a campaign of education of the farmers and stock
raisers relative to the control of tuberculosis in which all the
advantages of the eradication of tuberculosis must be impressed.
on them, would greatly facilitate this important campaign. I+
is a well known fact that any voluntary method of suppression
by the herd owners themselves would bring about better and
quicker results than when compulsory measures are enforced
upon them by legislative enactments. Nevertheless the time has
arrived when a campaign looking towards the control of this
disease should be entered upon by the general government as
well as the state and province. This campaign must reach in the
first place all the clinical pulmonary forms of tuberculosis; then
tuberculosis of the udder, intestines and uterus.

Having removed these exceedingly dangerous cases the balance
of the tuberculous herd may be treated by the Bang system, which
consists of the establishment of two herds of cattle, one con-
taining the animals which react to tuberculin, and the other

26 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

those that proved to be healthy. Each class of cattle is kept
entirely separate from the other, in different stables when pos-
sible, and under the care of separate attendants, using separate
utensils. The calves born of the diseased cows are removed from
their mothers at birth and placed in the stable with the healthy
animals where they are reared upon the milk of healthy cows
or upon other milk which has been properly pasteurized. In.
this way the healthy portion of the herd constantly increases
while the diseased animals are disposed of as rapidly as may be
deemed necessary until finally all of them are gone and the
remaining herd is composed entirely of healthy cattle. The
tuberculin test is applied to the healthy herd at regular inter-
vals, annually or semi-annually, in order to detect any cases of
latent tuberculosis or recent infection which may appear.
A modification of the Bang system is Ostertag’s method of
suppressing tuberculosis. This system demands only a clinical
examination of the original herd with the elimination of all open
cases of tuberculosis. The calves from the remaining cows are
immediately removed and brought up on pasteurized milk in
the same manner as in the Bang system and a new herd is thus
established from the young stock. Healthy nurse cows could
be used for these calves instead of feeding them on pasteurized
milk. The tuberculin test is applied to this new herd at stated
intervals in order that any cases of tuberculosis which may de-
velop therein may be discovered promptly. Neither of these
systems, however, has met with much favor in this country as
it required a considerable length of time and care, to create a
herd free from tuberculosis by either of them. Nevertheless the
inauguration of Bang’s or Ostertag’s method in herds of valu-
able animals whether they be dairy or beef breeds is unquestion-
ably of an economic value and in such cases either of these
systems should be encouraged. On the other hand, in ordinary
beef or dairy herds the practice of Bang’s or Ostertag’s method
in this country has not met with much encouragement, owing
to the extraordinary supervision, time and labor, as well as the
loss of market milk from the reacting cows which it involves.
In such herds the best ultimate results have thus far been
Mec st e Sr saya of all the clinically affected
the milk a the ore eee nia a
frain from selling the raw milk i a pen ote
rom the infected herd at all.

Commission Report: Tuberculosis, 27

In case ..e adopts the former method the herd composed of dis-
eased and healthy cattle should be placed in quarantine under
the supervision of sanitary authorities, and no sales should be
permitted from the herd excepting for immediate slaughter. The
alternative method will compel him to dispose of his tuberculous
animals in the case he refuses to pasteurize the milk. The
suppression of tuberculosis could be greatly facilitated and the
cooperation of many of the herd owners could be gained by a
provision by which a certain percentage of indemnity could at
least for a term of years be paid for the condemned animals.
The scale for such an indemnity should be arranged in accord-
ance with the final disposition of the carcass under competent
inspection.

Another method of eradication should receive serious con-
sideration as being of value in some localities. ‘This is known
as the Manchester system, which is either the Ostertag or Bang
system applied to localized areas or even individual farms, from
which centers the work progresses to surrounding or neighboring
districts and farms.

Inasmuch as the animals affected with clinical tuberculosis
are the greatest sources of danger in the dissemination of the
disease, compulsory reporting of such cases should be inaugurated
by the state, as is now done in many places in the control of
human tuberculosis. Mandatory reporting of these cases and
their prompt slaughter are very essential, as only by the elim-
ination of these exceptionally dangerous cases can it be hoped
to take up all the other details by which a successful control
of bovine tuberculosis may be accomplished.

In conclusion your Committee, having regard to the disposition
of pure bred cattle, or valuable animals kept for either breed-
ing or dairy purposes, would strongly recommend a system re-
quiring the removal of all clinical tuberculous animals from
the herd, the segregation of all calves from the remaining cows
in order to establish a new, clean herd, the use of tuberculin
tested nurse cows or pasteurized milk for these calves, and the
periodic application of tuberculin to this newly established herd,
as the only thoroughly reliable one.

(Signed) W. C. Epwarps, Chairman.
Joun R. Mouter.
FREDERICK TORRANCE.

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 29

I. Where fifty per cent or more of the animals are infected.

II. Where a small percentage (15% or less) of the animals
are affected.

III. Where a larger number (15% to 50%) of the animals are
diseased.

In eliminating tuberculosis from infected herds the following
procedure is recommended:

GROUP I.

Herds where a tuberculin test shows fifty per cent or more of
the animals to be infected should be treated as entirely tuberculous.
The procedure here is as follows:

1. Eliminate by slaughter all animals giving evidence of the
disease on physical examination.

2. Build up an entirely new herd from the off-spring. The
calves should be separated from their dams immediately after
birth and raised on pasteurized milk or on that of healthy nurse
cows. This new herd must be kept separate from any reacting
animals.

3. The young animals should be tested with tuberculin at
about six months old, and when reactors are found at the first
or any subsequent test—the others should be retested not more
than six months later. When there are no more reactors at
the six months’ test annual tests should thereafter be made. All
reacting animals should at once be separated from the new
herd and the stables which they have occupied thoroughly dis-
infected.

4. When the newly developed sound herd has become of
sufficient size the tuberculous herd can be eliminated by slaughter
under inspection for beef.

GROUP II.

1. The reacting animals should be separated from the non-
reacting ones and kept constantly apart from them at pasture,
in yard and in stable. :

(a) Pasture. The reactors should be kept in a separate
pasture. This pasture should be some distance from the other
or so fenced that it will be impossible for the infected and non-
infected animals to get their heads together.

30 Commission Report: Tuberculosis.

(b) Water. When possible to provide otherwise reacting
cattle should not be watered at running streams which after-
wards flow directly through fields occupied by sound cattle. The
water from drinking trough used by infected animals should not
be allowed to flow into stables, fields or yards occupied by sound
animals.

(c) StasLe. Reacting cattle should be kept in barns or
stable entirely separate from the ones occupied by the sound ani-
mals.

2. Calves of the reacting cows should be removed from their
dams immediately after birth. Milk fed these calves must be
from healthy cows, otherwise, it must be properly pasteurized.
These calves should not come in contact in any way with the
reacting animals. :

3. The non-reacting animals should be tested with tuberculin
in six months, and when reactors are found at the first six
months, or any subsequent test, the others should be retested
not more than six months later. When there are no more re-
actors at the six months’ test, annual tests should thereafter be
made. All reacting animals should at once be separated from
the new herd and the stables which they have occupied thor-
oughly disinfected.

4. The milk of the reacting animals may be pasteurized and
used.

5. Any reacting animal which develops clinical symptoms of
tuberculosis should be promptly slaughtered.

6. An animal that has once reacted to tuberculin should un-
der no circumstances be placed in the sound herd.

7. As soon as the sound herd had become well established,
infected animals should be slaughtered, under proper inspection.

GROUP III.

Herds that come within this group should be dealt with either
as in Group II, where the herd is separated, or as in Group
I, where all of the animals are considered as suspicious and an
entirely new herd developed from the offspring.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS,

In ALL cases animals that show clinical evidence of the disease

Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 31

should be promptly eliminated. They should be destroyed if
the disease is evidently far advanced, if not, they may be
slaughtered for food under proper inspection.

All milk from tuberculous cows that is used for food pur-
poses should be thoroughly pasteurized. ‘This means that it
must be heated sufficiently to kill or to render harmless, any
tubercle bacilli that may be present in it. For this, it is neces-
sary to heat the milk for twenty minutes at 149° F. or for five
minutes at 176° F. It is important that pails or other utensils
used in carrying the unpasteurized milk should not be used, un-
less previously sterilized, for storing the milk after it is pasteur-
ized.

When diseased animals are found, the stables from which
they are taken should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected.
To accomplish this, all litter should be removed; floors, walls
and ceilings carefully swept and the floors together with mangers
and gutters, thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water. Thor-
ough cleaning before the application of the disinfectant, can-
not be too strongly emphasized. After cleansing, the disinfect-
ant should be applied. A five per cent (5%) solution of carbolic
acid, a I-1,000 solution of corrosive sublimate or a four per cent
(4%) solution of sulphuric acid may be used.

When the stable can be tightly closed, formaldehyde gas prop-
erly used is reliable and satisfactory.

If tuberculous cattle have been kept in a small yard the litter
should be removed, the surface plowed and the fencing and other
fixtures thoroughly cleansed and disinfected