Experimental observations on tuberculous meat : with special reference to the report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis (1895), and the seizure of meat so affected / by R. Sydney Marsden.

  • Marsden, Robert Sydney, 1856-
Date:
[1895]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experimental observations on tuberculous meat : with special reference to the report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis (1895), and the seizure of meat so affected / by R. Sydney Marsden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    («) One of these was killed January 9th, 1893. Three tubercles were found in the spleen, and a tubercle nodule at the seat of inoculation. Tubercle bacilli were demonstrated microscopically on films and sections. (J) Another was killed January 11th, 1893, and a solitary tubercle found in the spleen. Tubercle bacilli were found by means of films. (c) The third was killed on January 14th, 1893, and presented several nodules in the spleen and liver, which were shown to be tubercular by means of microscopical examination.” “ These seven guinea-pigs therefore were all tubercular. They belonged to a collection of twelve animals purchased and chosen at the same time. The remaining five, which were kept as control animals, were killed and all found to be non-tubercular and otherwise healthy.” “ Conclusion from these Experiments. We see that meat from tubercular animals, although it may appear to be sound, may nevertheless prove a source of infection when inoculated in a suitable form into susceptible animals. This is a well-known fact, and hardly required fresh experiments in confirmation. As to the danger of infection, it is certain that human beings may be infected on consuming the raw meat of tuberculous animals. Well cooked and prepared meat is harmless. The objection, however, to the sale of any meat of diseased animals is, that by this means the bacilli are carried into the houses and kitchens, and thus become (in many ways) a dangerous source of infection. I therefore fully endorse the view of Fliigge that the sale of meat of tubercular animals should be prohibited.” On page 12 of the Report of the Royal Commission, paragraph 36. The Commissioners say :