The McCook tribune., 1897-01-22
Live Stock Inspection Law.

The live stock industry OF the state of
Nebraska is and will be- so long as pres
ent conditions exist one of the principal
branches of agricultural industry. Recog-
nizing this fact, the legislature at differ
ent times has enacted laws to prevent the
spread Of contagious or infectious diseases
and providing for the appointment of a
live stock sanitary commission, including
a state veterinary surgeon. This law, 1t
seems, was found to be cumbersome and
expensive and for a number of years the
legislature has failed to make any ap-
preparation for the purpose of enforcing
its provisions, thus rendering il obsolete.
During the past two years many commu-
nications were received by this depart
ment from people all over the state max
ing inquiries respecting the state veterin-
ary surgeon and desiring his services for
the purpose Of examination into the con-
dition of live stock supposed to have con-
tagious or infectious diseases. To the
many requests for the services of a state
veterinary surgeon no satisfactory re-
sponse could be given because of the
want of an appropriation TO defray the
salary and expenses of such officer.
During the month of August last, not
withstanding the annual quarantine
proclamation prohibiting the shipment of
cattle from certain territories where the
southern CT splenic fever exists, shipments
Of southern cattle affected with this dread
disease was unloaded at German 1wn.
Seward county, Nebraska, and placed in
a pasture in that vicinity. 1t was soon
discovered that the cattle were infected
with this disease, but not until a num-
Der of native cattle had become infected
and died. Considerable loss Of native cat
tie occurred and there was much alarm
among the citizans of the vicinity gener-
ally who feared a much greater loss to
the cattle industry in that portion OF
the state. 1 deemed this emergency to be
OF sufficient Importance to avail myself
Of the provisions Of the law to check the
threatened spread Of this disease. A state
veterinarian was appointed, as we'll as
two live stock inspectors, VINO at once
took charge Of all cattle within the terri
tory, affected and established quar-
antine lines, taking prompt sures to
stamp out the disease. Their efforts were
successful and. since the approach of
winter. the danger is passed. The neces-
sity for this action required the ex-
penditure of a small sum Of money and
the mourning Of some further obligation
In order that the work might be made
effective. An account of necessary ex-
perses will be presented to your body in
a report from the state veterinarian thus
appointed and ] recommend an appropri-
alton for its payment.
Another shipment of cattle similarly
affected was unloaded later in the season
80
IN order to prevent any spread of the
disease, the sheriff Of Sioux county in
which the cattle wers unloaded, wes in
structed to keep them confined in one
place and prevent them coming in con-
tact with any other stock in that portion
or the country until an examination might
De made by the state veterinarian and
the spread Of the disease prevented
Some additional expense was incurred in
connection with this matter
These two instances emphasize the nee
es'sity of making provisions for the better
protection OF the live stock interests Of
the state. The law. as It stands, may BE-
amended so as to render its enforcement
OF comparative su'all expense to the peo-
pie CT the state, and yet be made very
effective for the purpose of preventing
the spread Of conta sious or infectious dis
eases and the consequent loss of valuable
live stock. If the law could be 50 amend
Ell as to empower a state veterinarian to
establish and enforce rigid quarantine
regulations wherever required without ths
necessity Of the interpcs.tion of live stock
inspectors, l believe much good could
De accomplished with but little expense
A bill amending the presant law has
been prepared by those interested in vet
Urinary surgery in the state the provi-
stons OF which largely overcome the Oh
1ections existing in the present law and
at the same time make ample provision
fer the protection of this important in
terest. l trust that you will be able to
reach satisfactory conclusion that will
make it possible for the proper author
tiles upon all necessary occasions to
promptly prevent the spread and, as far
IS possible, eradicate these evils affecting
the 1--we stock interests of the state