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The Congress passed, in addition to the above resolutions (5 and 6), certain others, which
are subjoined, it being desirable that sanitary authorities should be made acquainted with the
views of so important a body: especial attention may be directed to the ninth resolution,
bearing, as it does, upon matters over which such authorities have more or less control.
"1.That tuberculous sputum is the main agent for the conveyance of the virus of tuberculosis
from man to man, and that indiscriminate spitting should therefore be suppressed.
"2.That it is the opinion of this Congress that all public hospitals and dispensaries should
present every patient suffering from phthisis with a leaflet containing instructions with
regard to the prevention of consumption, and should supply and insist on the proper use of a
pocket spittoon.
"3.That the voluntary notification of cases of phthisis attended with tuberculous expectoration,
and the increased preventive action which it has rendered practicable, has been attended by
a promising measure of success, and that the extension of notification should be encouraged
in all districts in which efficient sanitary administration renders it possible to adopt the
consequential measures.
"4.That the provision of sanatoria is an indispensable part of the measures necessary for the
diminution of tuberculosis.
* * * * * *
"7.That the educational work of the great national societies for the prevention of tuberculosis
is deserving of every encouragement and support. It is through their agency that a rational
public opinion may be formed, the duties of public health officers made easier of performance,
and such local and State legislation as may be requisite called into existence.
"8.That this Congress is of opinion that a permanent international committee should be
appointea; (a) to collect evidence and report on the measures that have been adopted for the
prevention of tuberculosis in different countries ; (b) to publish a popular statement of these
measures ; (c) to keep and publish periodically a record of scientific research in relation to
tuberculosis ; (d) to consider and recommend measures of prevention. This Congress is
further of opinion that all international and great national societies whose object is the prevention
of tuberculosis should be invited to co-operate.
"9.That in the opinion of this Congress, overcrowding, defective ventilation, damp and general
insanitary conditions in the houses of the working classes, diminish the chance of curing consumption
and aid in predisposing to and spreading the disease.
"10.That the following question be submitted for the consideration of the next Congress on
tuberculosis:—The constitutional conditions of the individual which predispose to tuberculosis,
and the means by which they may be modified.
"11.That, while recognising the great importance of sanatoria in combatting tuberculosis in all
countries, the attention of Government should be directed to informing charitable and
philanthropic individuals and societies of the necessity for anti-tubercular dispensaries as
the best means of checking tubercular disease among the industrial and indigent classes."
A New Royal Commission.—The views expressed by Dr. Koch, contravening the general
belief in the practical identity of human and bovine tuberculosis, led to a suggestion that the
stringency of procedures intended to prevent the sale for food of man of the milk of tuberculous
cows, and the flesh of tuberculous animals, should be relaxed; notwithstanding that the Congress
(in resolution 5) had deprecated any relaxation, by medical officers of health, of efforts
to prevent the spread of tuberculosis by milk and meat. Such a suggestion could not be entertained
: the Congress, nevertheless, was so far impressed by Dr. Koch's views as to have passed
the further resolution (6) already cited, which had the desired effect, having led to the appointment
of a Royal Commission—
"To enquire and report (1) whether tuberculosis in animals and man is one and the
same disease; (2) whether animals and man can be reciprocally infected with it; (3) under
what conditions, if at all, the transmission of the disease from animals to man takes place,
and what are the circumstances favourable or unfavourable to such transmission."
The usual ample powers were vested in the Commission, who are now conducting the enquiry,
which will extend over a considerable period of time.
Their Report will be awaited with interest; but, whatever the issue, it is not to be
supposed that anyone will be found to justify the use, as food for man, of the milk of a
tuberculous udder; and presumably there will be no limitation put to the present restrictions
on the sale of the flesh of tuberculous animals which, being" diseased, unwholesome, or
unsound," must, as already stated, be regarded as " unfit for the food of man."
Tuberculous Milk and Meat.—The Local Government Board, in a circular letter addressed,
(6th September), to the Borough Councils and other sanitary authorities, on the subject of tuberculosis,
advised that, pending the investigations and report of the Royal Commission, there
should be no relaxation on their part, or on that of their officers, in the taking of proper measures
for dealing with milk from tuberculous cows, and with tuberculous meat which may be in tended
for the food of man. The Board, moreover, with reference to representations that the action of
the officers of local authorities in the seizing of tuberculous meat was not uniform, cited the