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importance of the matter, His Majesty's Government have thought it right to
accede to a request made by the Congress that there should be an inquiry with
respect to it. A Royal Commission has accordingly been appointed to inquire
and report whether tuberculosis in animals and man is one and the same
disease; whether animals and man can be reciprocally infected with it;
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 Board are desirous, however, of impressing upon the local authorities
concerned 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 intended for the food of man. It is, in
the opinion of the Board, of much importance that these measures should
continue to be taken, and they rely on this being done.
At the same time the Board may observe that representations have been
made to them to the effect that the action of the officers of local authorities in
the seizing of tuberculous meat is not uniform. The Royal Commission on
Tuberculosis, in the report which they made in 1898, referred to the degree
of tubercular disease which should cause a carcase, or part thereof, to be seized.
They stated as follows:—
"We are of opinion that the following principles should be observed in the
inspection of tuberculous carcases of cattle:—
(a) When there is miliary tuberculosis of both
lungs
(b) When tuberculous lesions are present on the
pleura and peritoneum
The entire carcase
and all the organs
may be seized.
(c) When tuberculous lesions are present in the
muscular system, or in the lymphatic
glands embedded in or between the
muscles
(d) When tuberculous lesions exist in any part
of an emaciated carcase
The entire carcase
and all the organs
may be seized.
(а) When the lesions are confined to the lungs
and the thoracic lymphatic glands
(b) When the lesions are confined to the liver
(c) When the lesions are confined to the
pharyngeal lymphatic glands
(d) When the lesions are confined to any
combination of the foregoing, but are
collectively small in extent
The carcase, if otherwise
healthy, shall
not be condemned,
but every part of it
containing tuberculous
lesions shall
be seized.