The San Francisco call., 1897-10-15
TUBERCULIu
NOT ALLIBLE
This Is the Opinion of
Many Prominent Dairy
men.
The Matter Freely Discussed
at Their Annual Con-
vention.
A More Thorough Organization Of
Counties Urged by the
President.

There seems to be much doubt in the
| minds of many local dairymen as to
wheth the tuberculin test, as applied by
the State Board of Health, ia a success OF
not. At yesterdays session OF the Cali
fornia Dairy Association the matter was
given much discussion and the general
opinion expressed was that 1t is not jus ,
to kill a COW simply because it reacts
under the test, and that the better plan
would be TO quarantine such cattle and
watch their actions before slaughtering
them. All seemed willing that their
cattle should be killed if in a tuberculous
condition, but it is believed by many that
a perfectly healthy cow will under certain
conditions react under the test, while one
in an advance stage of the disease will
hardly snow any signs of reaction.
The conventio was called to order at
8 o'clock bv President Maiilard. who
made an opening address, as follows:
At our last convention the principal subject
o discussion and the most important 10 all
the dairymen of the State IS that OF dairy in
spection. You will remember that we had
some long and animated discussions upon IN is
subject and listened 10 some strong papers re.
Ia ting to the dangers arising from the pres
ence of tubercuIous cattle in our midst Most
OF these papers were of a scientific nature and
10 great extent overlooked the practical
side of the question. Major Alvord, chief OF
the dairy division of the Blu reau of Animal
Industry OF the United States. was with u.s.
and kindly gave his views. He was opposed
TO extremely radical measures in regard to in
spection for tuberculosis, and quoted high
authorities to show that the ulility of the
whoIesale use of The tub reuiin test had not
yet been demonstrated but mad in fact been
found Questionable. He says the only safe and
iudieious course of action is such as will
bring cordial co-ope alton between the cattle
a flaaN 7Tnf,N
ties. The danger from tuberculous COWS and
their milk undoubtedly exists. 1t should be
recognized, and not denied. But il is TO be
regarded as posi- bic danger rather than a 4
imminent one. The health authorities will
do well 10 press this subject without resorung
10 harsh or extreme measures.
The president spoke strongly of the ad-
visa bilitv of the dairymen of each county
organizing. Such examinations have al
ready been formed in Marin Sonoma.
Hum boldt and Los Angeles COUNTIES with
good results. He also referred to the
value OF having dairy school established.
Each year" he said, there has been a
good deal of discussion IN regard to a
dairy school, Dut nothing has been done
for its establish hmenL We need such an
institution badly, but have not felt strong
enough 10 demand such thing from the
State.
ut seems to some of US, however, that a
practical schooI could be established
which could be made 10 pay largely
toward It's maintenance ii properly To-
Gated and carried on under business
methods. 1t should be within reach of the
State University In order that those stu
dents who so elect could profit by the in
struction In certain branches"
The presidents address was followed by
paper on "An Outside View of Dairy
ing" by L Eiward F. Adams, who made
many valuable suggestions in reference to
the formation OF a dalry-schooL
The following temporary committees
were then appointed:
Legslation-Mss n. D. Eshelman, h N. LIE
Baron. +. l. de Long.
Programme-Samuel p. Watson, NJ. p Han.
Resolntions-F. L. de Long, George R Sheath,
W. Z. A Brewer.
The meeting was then thrown open for
4 general expression of opinion on dairy
matters, lig htweight rolls OF butter an 4
the res pecIive merits of the creamery and
! dairy sy stems OF manufacturing butter
being the chief topics. Mr.. Sessions OF
| Los Angeles stated that dairymen have
altogether abandoned the practice OF
turning out light rolls in the southern
part of the State, and that the change had
| proved very profitable TO them.
AS res ult of this discussion il is prob
| able that a law compelling dairymen to
stamp he exact weight in ounces on each
roll Will De recon- men QeQ 10 the mex
Legislature.
The afternoon session opened with the
reading of a papsr by w. ii. Roussel on
the benefits of a complete sanitary in.
spectioa OF dairieS. He said in part:
The people OF this State are just beginning
TO realize the I'm portance OF inspection by the
Health Department and should endeavor tc
assist in promoting any method thai will be
the means OF producing pure csean foods tina {
will be free from the germs of disease In.
spection does not necessarily mean the kilins
of cattle or confiscaton OF stock, and altnoug h
! in many cases where those means were re-
sorted TO it could have been prevented to Q
! great extent ii a proper superficial inspectio
of the dairy had been made at intervals in the
| existence Of the dairy.
Commence 10 eradicate the disease whence
| 1t originated; once thnt the sur oundings are
| made heIlthful the COW will become a very
| simple subject. 1t is almost folly 10 exter
| inmate d whole herd of cattle and then re
] place that herd with healthy one to occupy
| the same sleeping and eating places that hac
| been in by The old herd for proba BIZ
| twenty years. You can well imagine the e
| suit
Papers were also read by Professor NJ
| Z. Jaffa and W. ID. Macarthur
Tue da r: bill which was presented &c
last years Legislature and vetoed by the
Governor was placed in The hands of 6
| committee and will be acted on lo-day.