TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2071, 13 October 1880, Page 3

TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS.

Dr. Heath, president of the American Parmere’ Club, read a very important paper before that society on the subject of tuberculosis in domestic animals, and some of its effects on human health. He says that this disease prevails extensively among such animals all ever the world, and especially in populous and crowded localities. Cows which are kept shut up in close, foul air, as is the case with large numbers in and about London, are very liable to it. He says that observations in Mexico led to the conclusion that 34 per cent, of all beasts slaughtered there showed them to be more or less affected with this disease, and he is of opinion that 50 per cent, of the cows kept in large towns are thus diseased. The fact that this is not more generally recognised is, of course, owing to the animals being slaughtered before the disorder has attained any very noticeable development. According to Dr. Heath, if cows, like human beings, were allowed to die from natural causes, the proportion succumbing to tuberculosis would be quite as great, and probably much greater. Not only is the milk of tuberculosis cows very poor in quality, but it seems to have been sufficiently demonstrated to be capable of imparting the disease to those who drink it uncooked. Blebs, G-arlach, and other authorities have put the matter to the test by giving the milk of diseased cows to rabbits, guinea pigs, and dogs, with the result of developing tubercles in them. What has been done with the inferior animals may undoubtedly be done in the case of young children, large numbers of whom, it is believed, contract this dire disorder from the milk with which they are supplied. The flesh of affected animals would be equally pernicious but that it is cooked, and those who are compelled to use milk from doubtful sources would do well to scald it before doing so, more especially during warm weather, when, as past experience has demonstrated, phthisis is not the only evil ■that may be lurking in the milk-can.

CAPTAIN BABEY’3 LKCXD RE

Last sight, at the Academy of Music, Captain Jackaon Barry gave, or rather attempted to give his lecture on fifty-two years’ colonial experience. There was a fairly numerous audience, who waited in quiet expectation for some little time after the appointed hour. Ten minutes, a quarter, twenty minutes past eight arrived but brought with it no Captain Barry. Ultimately, however, Mr George Beatty proposed that Mr William Wilson take the chair.

Mr Wilson stepped upon the stage, and, in a fewmelliflueus sentences, introduced Captain Jackson Barry. The Captain, on rising to begin his lecture, was received with cheers and a remark from an excited gentleman in the circle, “Letah (hie) hear the Queensh letter.” After some little time Captain Barry got well under weigh with his early life and experiences, only interrupted now and again by the same gentleman, who had evidently been looking on the wine when it was red, and who every now and then expressed his desire—which appeared to be a most overpowering one—to hear “ the Queensh lettersh.” Several what our American cousins would call rather steep anecdotes were told by the Captain, particularly where he related one of the murders of the blacks, in which he described the murderers as “ ’eaping their bodies in ’eaps.” Next Captain Barry, amid yells of incredulity, told his boss yarn of his sojourn on the whale. “ Ladies and gentlemen,” said the Captain, “ for twelve ’ours we sat on the dead whale, and ’eld on by our ’arpoons till wo were picked up.” It is to be regretted that some of the audience here began to throw a number of egge. The first of these narrowly escaped the Captain, lodging behind, against the scene, with an ominous sound. Then came a dropping shower of eggs, but the Captain, true .to his colours, did not flinch. The chairman, however, deeming discretion the better part of valour, veiled his blushes discreetly behind a pot plant which was on the table.

Captain Barry, boiling over with righteous indignation, gesticulated fiercely at the audience, and finally made his exit at the wing, making gestures of contempt. The Chairman then said that for thirteen years he had always been listened to with profound attention at public meetings in Christchurch, because he was one of the most fluent speakers in the colony. [The gentleman in the circle: “ Roadah the Queen’s lettersh.”] Was it the pleasure of the audience that Captain Barry should be heard? [Cries of “Yes, yes.”] The Captain then returned, and said that ho considered it a diagracejto Canterbury that a jrey-haired man should be treated the way he iad been. Speaking of what he had done for the working classes, “ I have persuaded no one,” said the Captain, “to break hup their ’omes on one hundred and twenty platforms in that country. There’s not one of you, hold or young, as will say houtside this ’all, Captain Barry, I throwed a hegg at yer. I spotted a hegg a coming from one of the would be leading men, and believe you me, I’ll ’ave you hup for it.” [The gentleman in the circle —“Read ush the Queensh lettersh.”] This haudience is not worthy reading it to oven. You have had your sport, now I’ll ’ave mine. Good night.” So saying, the Captain struck a melodramatic attitude at the first entrance on the prompt side and went off, exclaiming, in deep tragedy tones worthy of Mr 0. Burford, “ You are hall a lot of curs.”

The green curtain was then lowered and the proceedings terminated.