The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-02-21

lOr eX6rClSe III Iu6 Opoh aii 'hOy hou
as pure water as any animal, brute or
human, needs to have. The herd
seems to have been fed generously, but
it is difficult to understand what there
can be in generous feeding of whole
some food that should cause 80 foul
disease. One can understand, without
being an expert, that continuous cou-
fnement in ill-ventiated stables, with,
perhaps, some noxious surroundings,
might breed disease in the lungs of cat
tie, but these conditions do not seem to
have existed in the case of Mr.. Fishers
herd. Quite the contrary. 1t is con-
ceivabe that high feeding for large
butter production might in time sap
the vitality of cow, and if this should
appear in physical decline, or in those
parts or organs engaged directly in milk
production, cause and effect would
4 seem to have logical connection; but
it is difficult to understand how, under
| favorable conditions of ventilation, tx
ercise, water, etc, tuberculosis can be
the product of high feeding alone,-
that is to say, that the disease may be
| looked for and is reasonably found only
in "pampered" herds of cattle.
Here in Vermont at least, it seems to
! be certain that the information neces
sary for a rational judgment is lacking;
and it is the duty of the state at once,
and with vigor and system, to begin the
work of obtaining that information.
Herds under all the varying conditions
of feeding and keeping, of all the va
rious breeds and grades, in all quarters
of the state, should be examined, and
the results, with attending conditions,
carefully noted. Let it be known if
the herds of low degree, aud the aver
age herds, whether of native stock or
graded. as we'll as the pampered !"
blooded herds, are afflicted with this
disease.
In the case of the human animal, we
do not mark as the probable or posi-
BILE victim of consumption the pers on
who is we'll fed, warmly clothed, and
who takes good care of himself. Pa
rents who have rational, intelligent
care of the food, clothing, and other
conditions of the bodily health of their
offspring, believe they are thus guard
ing their children against disease; and
it does not seem rational that the brute,
whatever its pedigree, kept in stable
reasonably comfortable in winter,
properly ventilated, that is fed even
generously, daily given the open air and
pure water, should thereby be consti-
tuted the victim of pulmonary disease,
and this, it is believed, is the pre-
vailing cond ton of things am )ng the
diaries of the state. What the people
of Vermont want is light on a subject
of vital importance, and, as we have
said, it seems TO be the plain and i'm
perative duty of the state to begin at
once, with well-considered energy and
system, the quest for the needed light.
This matter must inevitably become
the subject of legislation, and intelli
gent and effective lie lislation must be
based on the fullest and most accurate
information procurable.
The farmer has as great, if not
greater, interest than the general pub
lie in full knowledge of the exact con-
dition of the health of his animals
how to recover health if impaired, how
to maintain it if they possess it. This
is shown by the fact that the farmers of
Cabot are eagerly signing petition to
the proper state authority to at once
have their herds examined. The
farmer, leaving cut of the question all
consideration of property in his cows,
revolts at the thought that his own
family may be using the milk or bu' ter
of unhealthy animals, and the rest of
humanity, depending on him for a
great staple of food, fully shares his re-
puguance and horror, and demands
that the state move in the matter and
without delay. 1t is fit subject for
speedy executive action and co-opera-
ton with the specially-apponted off
GERS. The full extent of the disease in
the state should be ascertained. II
alarm and apprehension have no gen.
eral or reasonable foundation, the peo
pie are entitled to know that; but if the
disease is generally prevalent, or tc
whatever extent it is prevalent, the
widest currency should be given to the
facts, and remedies and protective
measures instituted and rigidly en-
forced