The influence of heredity and contagion on the propagation of tuberculosis : and the prevention of injurious effects from consumption of the flesh and milk of tuberculous animals / by A. Lydtin, G. Fleming, and Van Hertsen.

  • Lydtin, A. (August), 1834-
Date:
[1883]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The influence of heredity and contagion on the propagation of tuberculosis : and the prevention of injurious effects from consumption of the flesh and milk of tuberculous animals / by A. Lydtin, G. Fleming, and Van Hertsen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    i6g the attention of the Scottish Metropolitan Veterinary Medical Association to the very serious nature of this malady, and you will remember that I have written a book on the matter. Since that time I have brought it forward at a meeting of the North of England Veterinary Medical Association, so that I can in a certain sense claim a propriety in drawing attention to points connected with the disease. I wish, in the first place, to point out the re- markable fact that, notwithstanding the efforts of the veterinary profession within the past twelve or fourteen years to bring this subject before the public, and more particularly before the scientific world, it has been put aside. I may be wrong, but I consider that this is largely due to the fact that the medical profession is always slow to take anything in hand which is suggested by us. Had they in years gone by acted upon hints which we gave, this matter would, I believe, be now in a different position to what it is. This subject overlaps and intertwines to a certain extent the paper for discussion this afternoon. Perhaps it is as well that it should be so, as it will clear the ground for the resolution to be brought forward. Mr. Presi- dent, there are several points in connection with this malady, which I think of paramount importance, not only to the profession, but to the whole human race. We little thought twelve or fourteen years ago that this disease would to-day be shown to be due to a bacillus. I do not myself put this bacillus so prominently forward as some people. I look upon these little organisms perhaps in a different light to most people, although I should not like you to think that I do not believe in such things. I think in trying to pre- vent the spread of a disease like this, we should deal with material things. You cannot attack these organisms and prevent the malady, but you can take away the sources which give rise to it. Another matter, drawn attention to in Mr. Cox's paper and in the meeting this morning, is the identity between human and animal Tuberculosis. I think this subject should be pretty well set at rest by what information has been collected up to the present. I endeavoured to explain my opinions with reference to it in the paper read before the Scottish Medical Association. I think it is identical. I think that the mere physical difference is no proof of a want of morphological identity. I am glad that the question of sewage has been noticed. Assuming that Tuberculosis is due to a germ, is there anything to preclude the possibility of that germ being carried through the medium of sewage ? It may be rather a far-fetched idea, but we know the wonderful vitality of these germs. If this theory be correct, it points to the necessity for more careful dealing with sewage matter. In Mr. Olver's district it appears that the animals are allowed to graze on the sewage lands. In other districts—notably in Edinburgh—the sewage is discharged on the grass at certain periods. The grass is mown and carried off, and the sewage is not put on the land within a certain period of the time when the grass is cut ; that is to say, it is put on immediately the first crop is removed, and no more until after the second crop is carried. Perhaps Mr. Olver lays a little too much stress upon the subject of sewage, and