The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-02-21
TUBERCULOSIS IN CABOT.
Excitement Among the Farmers-Naluable
Animals Slaughtered-Demand for State
Examination of All the Herds.

The farmers of Cabot, always on the alert
for anything to better their condition, have
been holding meetings for mutual improve
ment. So much interest has been aroused
that outside talent has been called in. Last
Wednesday, afternoon and evening, DR..
Rich, the veterinary surgeon of the Ver-
mont Experiment Station, addressed large
assemblage on the diseases of the COW.
Luke G. Fisher, one Of the first farmers in
this vicinity, owns one OF the finest herds
of Jersey cows in the state. Mr.. Fisher is
a careful breeder, as the high character of
his herd testifies. Several prizes were
taken at the Worlds Fair last summer,
and we are informed that he has record of
an average production of 400 pounds of but
ter to the cow-not on single animal, but
on dairy of over twenty cows. This is said
to be the highest in the world.
Not dreaming that the dread tuberculosis
could be in his herd, every COW of which
seemed to be in perfect condition.. Mr..
Fisher, to crafty his curiosity, asked DR..
Rich to test his herd. Every one of the
herd Of forty-one head was tested by an in
lection of Kochs lymph, and the result
was awaited with interest. Thursday noon
was the appointed hour, and about thirty OF
the farmers of Cabot and vicinity gathered
to learn the result of the test, although the
hardest snowstorm of the season was rag
ing. Promptly at twelve O'CLOCK the hnal
test was applied, and the result was that
three COWS SDOWbu sJTOuR syuplOulS VI
tuberculosis, while three others showed II
in less degree. To all outward appear
ances, the diseased cows were as healthy as
any in the herd. They gave good lot OF
milk which tested the best in the herd, their
coats were sleek and they had good appe.
tites. Three of these cows were killed at
once and their lungs were eagerly scanned
by the excited company. Dr, Rich was pres
ent and kindly showed and explained the
workings OF the disease. In all these cows
the lungs were largely consumed, present
ing to the sight pulpy mass of yellowish
matter, which was extremely nauseating
| The mammary glands and the liver were
found to be badly affected This was an
object lesson that will not soon be forgot
ten by the farmers of Cabot. The excite
ment was intense, for nearly all present
owned from ten TO thirty cows each, and
if as large a percentage Should be dis
eased throughout the town, the outlook
was appalling.
While the slaughter was going on, Mr.
| Fisher proposed that a petition be drawn
up and signed by the stock-raisers of the
| town, asking the state board of agriculture
| to send, at the states expense, compe
| tent veterinary surgeon to test the cows in
| town that the disease may be stamped out
This was done, and in short time fifty or
more names were appended.
On Friday, the three cows which showed
| sligbter symptoms the day before wert
killed, and were found to be as badly af
! fected as any of the others. Thus Mr.
Fisher has sacrificed six of his best cows
He bought one when it was two years old
out OF the Billings herd for $50, and at any
| time since he could have sold her readily
for 500 The others, being thoroughbreds,
were nearly as valuable, The prompt ac
tion of Mr.. Fisher is highly commended 10y
his townsmen, and from all he receives
sincere sympathy in his loss.
Respecting the conditions surrounding
these cows, their feed, etc, our information
is that the stable was well ventilated anC
the temperature was about sixty degrees
The cows were fed judiciousy, the feed con
ssting of corn meal, bran oottonseed and
linseed meal. They We're turned out daily
and drank in the yard from a tank in which
the water was slightly warmed. No pol
luting or communicating conditions sur
rounded or were connected with the stable
Mr. Fisher, it is believed, bought tuber
culosis as many other farmers have done
coming in this case, from the Parks herd
and spreading directly to the animals stand
ing beside the purchased infected cows.