Gas-lime, or ordinary stone-lime, may again be resorted to for forming a barrier for protecting plots or larger areas of ground, or indeed individual plants. So also ordinary soot. These, however, present the drawback of having their essential protective qualities impaired by rain. Again, the slugs may be poisoned by taking advantage of their partiality for any farinaceous meal. To this some arsenical compound-e.g., Paris green or London purple-is added for the purpose. The adoption, however, of this method is not recommended, as the toxic agent is slow in its operation and permits the animals to wander off. Finally, there is the method of trapping or hand-picking. The latter operation is most successfully resorted to after nightfall. Owing, however, to the fact that the colour of the slug harmonises to a marked extent with that of the soil, many individuals always escape observation and capture. Moreover, it is a back-racking work, much more exacting, it is stated, than is ordinary digging. In trapping, objects are laid upon the ground overnight and visited during the following morning. Old boards or wet sacks are useful in this connection. So also are slices of vegetables, especially tomatoes, potatoes, turnips, and pumpkins. The extermination of the pest, as urged in some quarters, is now altogether impracticable. This also might have been with truth affirmed fifteen years since, when its occurrence in the Brisbane district first came under notice. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. A.-Vaginula Hedleyi, Simroth: One individual in act of ovipositing, eggs issuing from lateral opening. B.-Vaginula Leydigi, Simroth. Feeding on cabbage-leaf. Animal Pathology. TUBERCULOSIS IN SPAYED COWS. MEASURES NECESSARY FOR PROTECTING CATTLE FROM INFECTION WITH TUBERCULOSIS DURING THE PROCESS OF SPAYING. IN October, 1898, an article on the above subject by Mr. W. C. Quinnell, M.R.C.V.S. Lond., Government Veterinary Inspector, in the Journal, awakened much interest in grazing circles; and we have been requested to republish a portion of the article, dealing with the NECESSARY MEASURES FOR PROTECTION. Under this head, Mr. Quinnell wrote as follows: : If it were possible to estimate the diminution of wealth which occurs by reason of preventable losses among stock, even in the course of 1 year, many no doubt would be considerably astonished. I speak designedly of avoidable losses, for many cattle could be saved by the application of scientific principles and resources, especially when the methods which science would dictate in such cases are not difficult to understand nor to exercise. It has been shown also that the disease is a contagious one; hence the necessity in the selection of subjects and strict antisepsis. Whenever practicable, it would be a wise precaution to draft out those suspected of ill-health from amongst the mob to be spayed. Operate on the sound beasts first, and then on others according to degrees of indifference. To prevent the infection of healthy animals by contagion, an ample supply of water and soap (Calvert's carbolic 20 per cent. in preference) is essential for the thorough cleansing of the operator's hands, instruments, &c., after each cow spayed. Knife and hands could be further rendered asceptic by washing with an effectual antiseptic- (a) Carbolic acid 1 part, with 20 or 40 of water. (b) Corrosive sublimate 1 part, common salt 7 parts, water 1,000 parts. (c) Zinc chloride 1 part, water 80 to 100 parts. (d) Sodium hydrofluosilicate.-A recently discovered, effectual, nonpoisonous, cheap germicide, used in proportion of 1 part to 500 water. TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE. THE following report by Mr. S. S. Cameron, M.R.C.V.S. to the Victorian Board of Public Health, on the efficacy of the tuberculin test as a diagnostic of tuberculosis in cattle, the results of evidently carefully conducted experiments, is published for general information. Although conducted in another colony, the experiments are, in all respects-so far as the actual test is concernedequally applicable to Queensland, and the results support the contention of scientists in other countries, that, when properly carried out, the tuberculin test is infallible. REPORT BY MR. S. S. CAMERON, M.R.C.V.S. TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ON THE RESULTS OF HIS USE OF TUBERCULIN IN CATTLE IN VICTORIA. The investigation, the results of which are given in the subjoined report, was directed by the Board for the purpose of inducing stockowners and dairymen to exterminate tuberculosis from their herds, and also of elucidating the question as to the measures to be taken in Victoria in connection with cattle for the reduction of tuberculosis in man It had been shown, first in one and then in another part of the world, that tuberculosis was extensively prevalent among cattle. The transmissibility of the disease to man had been accepted by the highest authorities in those States where the matter had been investigated. And for the eradication of the bovine affection a reliable test, which was the first desideratum, had been found in tuberculin-a re-agent which, in competent hands, had proved to be, for practical purposes, all that was wanted. No sooner had these positions been established than the duty was recognised by the Governments of most civilised countries of affording to stockowners and dairy-farmers every possible aid in the extermination of tuberculosis, State moneys in large amount being voted for this special purpose-not so much for the protection of the pocket of the owners of cattle as for the protection of man against infection from cattle. It was for this and other purposes that Mr. Cameron was appointed, on the urgent representations of the Board, as veterinary inspector on their staff; and at once the Board gave it out that Mr. Cameron's services would be available to those who would consent to have any animal that, in the opinion of Mr. Cameron, reacted to the tuberculin test in a manner indicative of tuberculosis immediately slaughtered and examined after death. Mr. Cameron's report shows the nature and extent of the work done by him in this direction. The result goes far towards demonstrating the same important truths as regards bovine tuberculosis in this country as had been found by other observers else where ; and it may well serve as a source of encouragement for pressing forward the work that has thus been commenced, though some change be made in the conditions under which State aid shall in future be provided for the elimination of the bovine disease. It must be added that the lectures and demonstrations given by Mr. Cameron on the living animal and at the post-mortem in the different localities where the investigations have been undertaken have proved of the greatest importance and value, as shown by the numerous reports given thereon in the Press, and by the fact that numerous owners of cattle have been induced thereby to have the test applied by competent persons to their own stock. 18th March, 1899. D. A. GRESSWELL, M.A., M.D., Oxon., Chairman. REPORT TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH, VICTORIA, BY MR. S. S. CAMERON, M.R.C.V.S., VETERINARY INSPECTOR TO THE BOARD, ON TUBERCULIN AS AN AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. During the eighteen months prior to September, 1898, on directions from the Board, I subjected a number of dairy cattle, constituting the whole of the milking cows in 9 herds in widely separated parts of the colony, to the tuberculin test, the objects having been to demonstrate the value of the test as an aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, and to obtain some information as to the extent of the disease in the dairy cattle of the colony. Though the number of herds—9—and the number of cattle-267--forming those herds are not so numerous as to furnish a sufficient basis for estimating the extent of the disease in the colony, it may be remarked that the herds were, as already stated, in widely separated parts of the colony; that the animals comprising these herds were mostly young cows or cows in their prime, and above the average of dairy cattle in breeding, in condition, and milking qualities; and that the owners voluntarily submitted them to the test on the understanding that all those that might re-act would be destroyed, so that there is likelihood that the proportion of tuberculous animals found in the 9 choice herds tested-viz., 9 per cent.—is not in excess of that for dairy cows in the colony at large. I shall give, first, the particulars concerning each herd, and then some of the lessons to be derived from the results of the investigation. I.-PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE SEVERAL HERDS THAT WERE TESTED. Table A sets out the number of herds and of cows tested, the number and proportion that re-acted, the number slaughtered and examined, and the localities where the investigations were conducted. I now pass on to the consideration of each herd separately, giving a description of the herd, the temperature charts, and particulars of all re-acting cows and their post-mortem appearances on slaughter: Herd I., Leongatha, South Gippsland. This herd consisted of 51 milking cows, the majority being pure Jerseys or Jersey-Ayrshire half-breds. Thirtytwo of these were cows between 3 and 6 years, and of the remainder not one was over 8 years old. The herd had been carefully selected during the previous 2 years, no animal yielding below 500 gallons of milk per annum, with a proportionate butter-fat value, being allowed to remain in the herd. All the animals were apparently healthy and in sleek milking condition, and were artificially fed with hay, chaff, bran, roots, &c., in winter, and ensilage in summer. Shelter-sheds were provided in all the grazing paddocks, and the general management of the herd was in other respects generous and careful. The test was applied on 5th and 6th January, 1897. Koch's tuberculin of date 27th October, 1896, was used, in doses varying from 03 c.c. to 0'5 c.c., according to the age and size of the animal, and diluted with 0.5 per cent. sterilised solution of carbolic acid. Five of the 51 cows gave re-actions, the highest rise in temperature varying from 44 degrees F. to 26 degrees F., and the mean rise varying from 4.1 degrees F. to 10 degrees F. All the animals that re-acted were slaughtered, and the temperatures, together with the post-mortem appearances of each, are given in Table B. This herd was tested a second time in May, 1898, exactly 16 months after the first test. Six of the cows had been sold in the meantime on account of their failing to yield the standard amount of milk (500 gallons per annum). None of the remaining 40 cows, all of which, as already stated, had previously withstood the test, re-acted on this occasion. TABLE B. GIVING GENERAL DESCRIPTION, TEMPERATURES, AND POST-MORTEM APPEARANCES OF EACH OF THE RE-ACTING ANIMALS IN HERD I. No. 1 Prime milking 7 yrs. 1015 101-2 101-3 104-5 104 2 104-5 104-43-231 Large coalescing condition; sleek and fat tubercular ab- No.2 Prime milking aged 102.5 102-0 102-3 105-7 105-8 105-8 105 8 3.5 3.5 Extensive condition; sleek and fat tuberculosis of intestines and mesentery; a few tubercular nodules in both lungs Hydatid cysts No. 3 Fair milking 6 yrs. 103-6101 6 102 6 105 2 102-6 103-1103-62-610 Caseous tubercular Flukes in condition; slightly hide bound, with nodules throughout No. 4 Fair condition: aged 1016 1010 101-3 104-8 105 7 105 7 105 44441 Tubercular abscesses and nodules in both liver; left lung hepatized in patches Slight pleuritic adhesion of left lung No. 5 Prime milking aged 1014 101 4 101-4102-0104-5 104-2103-63-12-2 Small tubercular ab- Nil condition; sleek and fat scesses and Lodules Herd II., Kyneton.-This herd consisted of 20 milking cows, mainly Shorthorn, Ayrshire, and Jersey crosses. Most of the animals were in their milking prime and in good condition. The herd had been gradually got together during the preceding 18 months with the view of supplying milk for a retail distribution. It was well managed in every respect, hand-feeding and housing at night in a well-ventilated sanitary byre being practised in the winter. Test applied, 26th and 27th January, 1897-Koch's tuberculin; doses, 0'4 c.c. to 0.5 c.c. One cow re-acted definitely, giving a maximum rise of temperature of 5·0 degrees F., and a mean rise during 34 hours of 3·1 degrees F. Particulars concerning this cow are given in Table C. TABLE C. GIVING GENERAL DESCRIPTION, TEMPERATURE, AND POST-MORTEM APPEARANCES OF RE-ACTING Cow IN HERD II. No. 1 Description.-Big-framed half-bred Shorthorn-Ayrshire cow, 6 years old, in good condition and full milk Temperature before Injection. Temperature after Injection. Rise. 8 hrs. 5 hrs. 1 hr. Mean. 9 hrs. 11 hrs. 13 hrs. 16 hrs. 19 hrs. 22 hrs. 25 hrs. 27 hrs. 34 hrs. Mean. H'h'st Mear. 101.8 101.4 101.6 101.6 104.8 104 4 104-8 105 2 106-6 105.0 1044 1044 103-0 104.7 5:0 3.1 Post-mortem Appearances.-Tubercular patches in both lungs; tubercular lesions in right sub-lumbar lymphatic glands; grey nodules of tubercular character in the mammary gland (udder). Herd III., Carlsruhe.-The herd consisted of 8 milking cows, all pure-bred pedigreed Jerseys, in good milking condition, and well cared for. Test applied, 27th and 28th January, 1897-Koch's tuberculin; dose, 03 c.c. to 0.5 c.c. None of the animals re-acted. Herd IV., Sale, East Gippsland.-This herd consisted of 46 cows in good milking condition; ordinary dairy cows, with strains of Shorthorn, Jersey, Ayrshire, and Hereford. The herd was well managed and cared for, ensilage and other artificial foods being used regularly during the summer and winter months. Test applied, 22nd and 23rd March, 1897-Koch's tuberculin; dose, 0-3 c.c. to 0.5 c.c. None of the animals gave a definite re-action. In 2, however, the temperature rose sharply at the end of 12 hours to 1046 degrees F. and 104-1 degrees F. respectively, the rise being 30 and 2-2 respectively; but this rise was not maintained for more than an hour, the temperature in both cows being again normal at the end of 14 hours. These two cows were re-tested a fortnight later, with the result that neither of them re-acted, the only alteration of temperature being a rise of 07 degrees F. in one case, and 0·2 degrees F. ir the other, 10 hours after injection. Herd V., Tatura, Goulburn Valley.-This herd consisted of 25 ordinary dairy cows in fair milking condition, well managed and cared for. Test applied, 5th and 6th April, 1897-Koch's tuberculin; dose, 0'4 c.c. to 0.5 c.c. Five of the 25 cows gave re-actions,* the mean rise in temperature varying from 3.8 degrees F. to 2:1 degrees F. Particulars concerning these 5 cows are given in Table D. * During the previous 6 months the owner had lost 2 cows from a "wasting disease," which, according to the description of the symptoms given, was undoubtedly tuberculosis. |