Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-02-26
TUBERCULOSIS IN CABOT.

The farmers of Cabot, VT, always
on the alert for anything to better
their condition, have been holding
meetings for mutual Improvement
So much interest has been aroused
that outside talent has been called in
On the afternoon and evening of Feb.
IA, DR.. Rich, the veterinary surgeon
of the Vermont Experiment Station,
addressed large assemblage on the
diseases of the COW. Luke G. Fisher,
one of the first farmers in this vicini-
ty, owns one of the finest herds of
Jersey COWS in this state. Mr.. Fisher
is careful breeder, as the high char
acter 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 butter
to a 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 tuber-
culosis could be in his herd, every COW
of which seemed to be in perfect con-
dition, Mr.. Fisher, to crafty his curl
Osity, asked DR.. Rich to test his herd.
Every one of the herd of forty one
head was tested by an injection of
Koch's lymph, and the result was
awaited with interest. Thursday noon
was the appointed hour, and about
thirty Of the farmers of Cabot and vi
cinity gathered to learn the result of
the test, although the hardest snow
storm of the season was raging.
Promptly attwelve O'Clock the final
test was applied, and the result was
that three COWS showed strong symp-
toms of tuberculosis, while three
others showed it in less degree. To
all outward appearances, the deceased
COWS were as healthy as any in the
herd. They gave a good lot of milk
which tested the best in the herd,
their coats were sleek, and they had
good appetites. Three of these COWS
were killed at once, and their lungs
were eagerly scanned by the excited
company. DR.. Rich was present and
kindly showed and explained the
workings of the disease. In all these
COWS the lungs were largely consum-
ed, presenting to the sight a 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 forgotten |
by the farmers of Cabot. The excite
ment was intense, for nearly all owned |
from ten to thirty COWS each, and, if |
as large a percentage should be de- |
throughout the town, the out
look was appalling.
While the slaughter was going on.
Mr.. Fisher proposed that 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, a competent veteri-
nary surgeon to test the COWS in town
that the disease may be stamped out.
This was done, and in a short time
fifty or more names were appended.
On Friday, the three COWS which
showed slighter symptoms the day
before were killed, and were found to
'e as badly affected as any of the
,thers. Thus Mr.. Fisher has sacrificed
ix of his best cows. He bought one
when it was two years old out of the
Billings herd for $3.50, and at any time
ince he could have sold her readily
or 5000. The others, being thorough
reds, were nearly as valuable. The
'rompt action of Mr.. Fisher is highly
commended by his townsmen, and
rom all he receives sincere sympa-
by in his loss.-Watchmon