The advocate., 1897-11-03
For the Farmer. .
OFFICIAL REPORT OF EXPERTS ON
TUBBROUL0Us CATTLE.
KANSAS STATE AGRICULTURAL COLEEGE,
MANHATTAN, KAs., October ~, 1897.


To the Regents of the Kansas State
Agricultural College:-As appointed to
advise in the matter of tuberculosis in
the herd Of the Kansas State Agricultu-
raj college, we beg to report as fol-
lows: We find that the herd has been
subjected to two successive tests with
tuberculln, once in January and once In
October, 1897. Fourteen reacted on Dotn
occasions. We had these fourteen anil
mails killed and found In each OF these
unmistakable LESSONS Of tuberculosis.
There were in every case advanced
LESSONS of old standing and In the ma
jority of the cases these were very
extensive. We also slaughtered and ex-
amined the Hereford bull, College Beau
Real, which had failed to react under
the tubercuIin test, but which suffered
from a severe wheeling, caused by a
swelling in the throat We found the
two pharyngeal glands enormously en-
larged and with many centers OF soften
ing, the whole evidently Of tuberculous
nature.
We also slaughtered two unthrifty
calves which had abnOrmally high tenn
peratures previous to the application OF
the tuberculin test but which did not
react, and we found no unequlVocal evil
dence Of tuberculosis.
Three calves were sick at the time
OF the test and could not be subjected to
it. They remain, therefore, without
proof of soundness but with the strong
est presumption in their favor Of free
dom from tuberculosis, seeing that
calves are very rarely born diseased and
that the oldest of these Is under six
months Of age. These could be retained
and tested with the COW Genteel II.
The two following animals remaining
in the herd are not entirely free from
suspicion. because both showed a slight
rise Of temperature following the injec-
tion of the tuberculin: Golden Clnder-
ella, a two-year-old in fine condition,
which ought, in our opinion, to be
slaughtered for beef. Genteel II, years
old, and due to Calve November "a. This
cow Is unfit to be slaughtered and ought,
in our opinion, be retained and retested
with tuberculin some weeks after par
turition.
The remainder of the herd, having
been twice tested with tuberCulin with
an interval of nine months and having
shown no indication Of tuberculosis,
have a better guarantee Of soundness
than have the members Of any ordinary
untested herd. These could, accord
ingly, be disposed OF in one Of two ways,
either, first, as stock animals, or, sec
ond, for beef purposes.
The hay and feed at present in the
barn could be safely disposed Of for con-
sumption of horses or sheep.
The yards may be thoroughly cleaned
and sprinkled with a solution Of BIZ
chloride of mercury, the surface earth
having been removed.
The woodwork in the basement Of the
barn should be torn out and burned,
the surface soil removed and the whole
disinfected with bichloride Of mercury
solution. In the case of the double
flooring and walls on the main floor,
the upper layer should be removed and
the blchlorlde of mercury solution
should be applied to all parts. All ven
tllating shafts should be included in
this treatment,
The swine have been allowed to run
with the affected cattle, They should,
therefore, be sold fat subject to inspec-
tion at slaughter.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES LAW.
(Signed) +. A. GEDDES.
PAUL FISCHER.
Dr. Law, representing the Veterinary
college, Cornell University, New York.
DR.. Geddes, representing the Bureau