A NEW SOUECE OF CONSUMPTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 25, 26 November 1880, Page 3

A NEW SOUECE OF CONSUMPTION.

Dr. Heath, President of the American Fanners' Club, recently read a very important paper befoi c that Society, on the subject of tuberculosis in domestic animals, ana some of its effects on human health. He says that this disease prevails extensively among such animals all over 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 sept in large towns are thus diseased. The fact that this is not more generally recognised ie, of course, owing to the animals being slaughtered before the disorder has i attained aay 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 grea', and probably much greater. Not only is the' milk pf tuberculosis cows very poor in quality, but it seems to have , been sufficiently demonstrative to be capable of imparting the disease to f those who drink it uncooked. Klebs, Oarlach. and other authorities have put the .majtflr to the test by giving "^lnexaiit of diseased cows to rabbits, • ,srtn'ea pigs, and dogs, with the re- „ vjdijof developing tubercles in them. . What has been done with the inferior aninial&anay undoubtedly be done in the case of young children, large

numbers of whom.it is believed, con tract this dire disorder from the mil!. with which they are supplied. Ih< flesh of affected animals wou'd b< equally pernicious bui that i icooked, and those who are compelled to use milk from doubtful source I would do well to scald it before doing I sd, more especially daring warm weather, when, as past experience has demonstrated, phthisis is not the only evil that may be lurking in the milk can.