Cornell University Library SF 808.16 1910c iii 003 261 488 Till 3 192 4 °o mann 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. Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003261488 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