The record-union., 1897-11-05
THE DAIRYMEN AND CATTLE IN.
SPECTION


consideration of the question of using
the tuberculin test to ascertain if mich
cows are afflicted with tuberculosis.
The outcome of the debate was the
adoption of a declaration that the tu-
berculin test is unreliable, should be
abandoned, and the ascertainment of
the facts concerning the health of dairy
herds be left to the examinations made
by men experienced among cattle and
familiar with their conditions-which
is to say dairymen.
Before the late Legislature the same
claim was made, and the same assault
projected against the tuberculin test.
There is no reason to doubt the sin
cerity of the dairymen in the conven-
tion, or their desire to have their herds
made secure against tuberculosis. But
it remains that the United States Bu-
reau of Animal Industry at Washing
ton, after experience in the use of tu-
berculin in all the States of the Union
for several years, firmly adheres to it,
urges its use, and declares in official
reports that the results of that use
Justify faith in its general reliability
1t may be freely conceded that at
times this test fails; that at some 9TH
ers it indicates the presence of disease
when an autopsy proves there is none.
Tt is claimed by dairymen that it is in
evidence against tuberculin that if
cow has cold, slight nasal affection,
and temporary in character. or if she
has not had for a short while proper
food, or is bit feverish, the tuberculin
test will work, and the result is that an
animal is ordered killed that was not
afflicted with tuberculosis, nor the
threat of it.
But it is replied that if the test some
times fails, so does the judgment Of
man; that as a matter of fact the fail
ures of the test do not amount to
quarter of ] per cent; that even If
the failures are much greater, the dan
gers to humanity in milk from diseased
COWS are such and so numerous as to
wholly counterbalance the loss of an oc-
casional healthful animal It is pointed
out that since the inspection of dairy
herds has been introduced infant NOR
tality has wonderfully decreased, and
that even the health of the adult milk
users has been bettered. But if this
We're not so one wants the milk he
uses, or takes into his family for its
use. to be pure and healthful, whether
he has fear of tuberculosis or not.
If the purpose of the Dairymen's
Convention is achieved there will be
no more inspection Of dairy cattle by
scientists, Boards Of Health or tests
by use of tuberculin. All inspection
will be conducted by skilled cat
tlemen. The Boards of Supervisors
and Boards of Health will have nothing
more TO do with meat and milk
inspection, and the testing of dairy
herds; it will all be commit
ted to men who familiarize them
selves through experience with the
health and ill-health of cattle by ap-
pearance, but not by scientific study in
addition. If their judgments are falli-
BILE, no matter; we must take the con-
sequences.
We submit to the dairynen that the
great body of the public viii not be
satisfied with any such arrangement
Even II all is conceded that was con-
tended for in the convention, that
~
disease IN dairy cattle and best fitted
to determine when an animal should
be killed because of a diseased condi-
tion, still the discoveries which have
been made in the last ten years con-
corning cattle disease, inspection and
tests have so far educated the public
mind upon the subject that the at
tempt to substitute any one for trained
and scientific examiners under direc-
ton of official boards viii be resented.
The people know that they have been
benefited greatly by inspections and the
use Of the tuberculin test; they will
not, therefore, consent to something
taking the place until they are con-
WINGED the change will be for the bet
ter.
Official authority was quoted at the
convention for the statement that rad
ical use of tuberculin is unjust, and
that It does not follow that wholesale
developments under its use should be
followed by wholesale killing of the an
finals. The San Jose Mercury" de-
clares:
We cannot recall an instance of the
numerous cattle tested in this county
b Veterinary Inspector Spencer in
which the autopsy did not prove the
absolute correctness of the test. Any
opposition based upon the theory that
the tubereulin test is not reliable must
be futile, because. Its complete reliabili-
~ has been thoroughly established. IL
the dairymen do not know this they
h1ve failed to keep informed concern
ing experiments in which they are di-
rectly interested, and If they do
know II they are wasting their time in
endeavoring to convince the consumers
Of their products that the tests cannot
be depended upon. Their consumers
know better.
We believe that the application of the
test in this county has been uniformly
successful, and that few. If any, fail
ures or mistakes have been made. But
ii is far better that out of the public
purse there be made payment for any
cattle killed which an autopsy does