Of those tested, 128 were Jerseys, 41 were Holsteins, 72 were Durhams, seven were Devons and 413 of the common or mixed breeds. Of those condemned, 25 were Jerseys, nine were Durhams, one Holstein and 36 were of the common or mixed breeds. With the stabling season, comes to us an increased number of reports of diseased cattle, and requests for the inspection and examination of dairies. Thus far in our work we have examined only such herds as have been reported to us by owners or health officials, as having one or more diseased cattle in them. There is strong pressure being brought to bear, to take up the examination and purification of the milk supply of certain cities. With sufficient funds at our disposal, we should be pleased to take up a systematic examination of city milk supplies, but it has been thought best up to present time, simply to continue to examine and purify herds known to be diseased, and many such herds are constantly being reported. That cities, towns and sanitary officials are generally taking greater interest in the matter of insuring for themselves, a pure milk supply, is shown by the greater frequency of which reports of diseased cattle are being sent to us by local health officials. That farmers and dairymen are becoming more alive to the dangers of bovine tuberculosis, is shown by the more frequent reports received from farmers who say that their neighbor's cattle show signs of disease, and that they fear the disease may be communicated to their own herds, as their cattle must necessarily run in adjoining pastures with only a fence between. Recently there was a controversy over conditions found at the autopsy of a cow that was killed by one of our inspectors, as to whether the lesions found were those of tuberculosis. To prove his diagnosis, our inspector inoculated two rabbits with the diseased tissues of the cow, and on the sixteenth day the two rabbits died, the autopsy of both showing plainly tuberculous disease. The rabbits though well fed, and continuing with good appetites almost up to the time of their death, had become since the inoculation, very much emaciated. The milk of another cow slaughtered, was subjected to a careful microscopical examination, and was found to contain the tubercle bacilli in great numbers. The milk from this cow had been used for some time, to nourish a child now about one year old. This child is in very poor health and probably has tuberculosis. We have the child under observation and shall be able to report future developments. Respectfully submitted, S. CASE JONES, M. D., Tuberculosis committee SYRACUSE, N. Y., December 23, 1898 To the New York State Board of Health: Gentlemen-The tuberculosis committee respectfully reports for the month ending Decmber 23, 1898: During the last month, 184 cattle have been tuberculin tested, comprising 12 herds, in compliance with the request of the owners. These herds were ali known to have in them one or more diseased animals. Out of the whole number tested, 16 were tuberculous, five of which have already been destroyed, the remaining 11 are being maintained in quarantine by local health officers. Since January 1st, 1237 head of cattle have been examined, and 836 have been tuberculin tested, of which 87 have been condemned, 40 of which have been destroyed. Of those tested, 146 were Jerseys, 75 were Holsteins, 78 were Durhams, seven were Devons and 539 were of the common or mixed breeds. Of those condemned, 33 were Jerseys, nine were Durhams, three were Holsteins and 42 were of the common or mixed breeds. During the past month, 204 letters have been written, and 1568 circulars mailed or distributed to veterinarians or cattle owners. About December 1st, the Syracuse board of health passed an ordinance requiring all peddlers or dealers of milk, furnishing milk within the city limits, to file with the board on or before April 1st next, a clean bill of health, of all cattle supplying their milk, the certificate of health to include the tuberculin test. On failure to comply with the provisions of the ordinance, license to sell milk will be refused. In compliance with this ordinance, four herds have already been tested, and we have applications for tuberculin. enough to test several more herds. We are distributing tuberculin manufactured by the New York State veterinary college without charge, to all parties desiring it, on condition that we receive in return a copy of all tuberculin tests made with it, on our blanks; thus we will be enabled to locate many tuberculous cattle. If other cities and towns would follow the example set by Syracuse, much practical good would be the result. Respectfully submitted, S. CASE JONES, M. D., Tuberculosis committee HISTORY OF AN OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX IN 1898 F. C. CURTIS, M. D., Sanitary investigator: An outbreak of smallpox, extending over almost a year, trace able to a single source, reaching forty health districts and nearly three hundred individuals, yet attended with but a single fatality, is an important experience and calls for a record. No year in the history of the State Board of Health has passed without the report of deaths from smallpox, the yearly number in the past ten years, prior to 1898, having been from 3 to 300, with a yearly average of about 80 deaths. But with the exception of the years 1892, 1893 and 1894, when there was extensive prevalence and from 150 to 300 deaths each year, the number has been small and for the most part limited to the large metropolis. In 1898 there is a record of one death, but it occurred in the city of New York and the 15 cases reported from that city had no relation to the outbreak now under consideration, and in 1899 there has been but one death from smallpox outside that city. A theatrical troupe, traveling from place to place in its own private railroad cars, and exhibiting in its own tent, came into this state from southern states by way of Pennsylvania, making its first appearance at Westfield, Chautauqua county, April 28th. One of the members of this troupe, who gives no evidence of having been vaccinated, was taken sick March 21st, in Charleston, W. Va., with fever lasting three days, during which time. he was ill enough to give up his work, an eruption then appearing on the face and wrists, which was seen by a physician and diagnosticated as chickenpox, but which the sequel proved to be smallpox. He contracted the disease probably in Richmond, Ky. He left the company and returned to his home in Huron, Mich., where his brother joined him and the two soon rejoined the troupe. On April 25th, two weeks after coming in contact with the first case, the brother developed the initial fever of varioloid. He was not long incapacitated, and participated in the street parades and performances of the company. Having visited Westfield April 28th, their subsequent course in this state until it was finally arrested was as follows: April 29th, Fredonia; 30th, Lockport; May 1st, Buffalo; 2d, Mount Morris; 3d, Dansville; 4th, Bath; 5th, Corning; 6th, Waverly; 7th, Binghamton; 8th and 9th, Norwich; 10th, Oxford; 11th, Greene; 12th, Whitney's Point; 13th, Marathon; 14th, Cortland; 16th, Groton; 17th, Moravia; 18th, Union Springs; 19th, Ithaca; 20th, Trumansburgh; 21st, Geneva. At all of these places, reached by rail on private cars, there were street parades and performances in their own tent, the af fected members usually participating. A third member of the troupe was taken on the way and seen by a physician, who made a diagnosis of chickenpox and he continued with his work. At Ithaca, May 19th, a fourth member of the troupe was taken much more severely sick and remained there, and speedily developed what was then for the first time recognized as smallpox. Information of this was communicated two days later to the health officer of Geneva, where the troupe was stopped in the midst of a street parade and quarantined in their cars. A fifth case, vaccinated and but mildly affected, was then in the active stage of this disease, and the third case was recovering, the two first subjects being then well. Both of the more recent cases, when I saw them on going to Geneva, were not so sick but that they were able to be about; they were of the abortive type which characterized the most of the cases subsequently occurring in this state. The older cases had marked stain and moderate pitted cicatrice, most abundant on the face. Two more members of the troupe developed the disease after quarantine was established, but the evidence of the promptness and efficiency of the care the outbreak received at Geneva is shown by the fact that no one outside the troupe took the disease in that city. The entire company, 26 in number, with all their belongings, were removed to an unused steamer, which was moored out in the lake and kept there, all being vaccinated, until June 21, when they were released. Dr. Bishop, health officer of Geneva, thus describes the two cases which developed under his observation: One C. W. C., age 22, never successfully vaccinated, had fever, nausea, vomiting, malaise, pain in back and limbs. After two days a papular rash appeared on the forehead and face, extending progressively over his arms, body and legs, involving also the mouth and fauces. On the fourth day some papulæ became vesicular, with flattening tops and then umbilicated. On the sixth day there were many pustules and by the ninth day the eruption was wholly pustular. There was intense tumefaction and congestion of the skin, tissues of the eyelids, tongue and throat, causing much pain, closing the eyes and allowing the injection of liquids only with difficulty. On the tenth day the pustules began to break, forming confluent crusts that covered the chin and the forehead. The primary and secondary fever was marked. Convalescence was rapid and he was discharged well on the thirty-first day. Each pustule left a cicatricial mark which however showed daily improvement. |