Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-09-05
THE FACTS ABOUT THE TUBERCubo-
SIS SCARE AT MANHATTAN.
MISMANAGEMENT OF P0PULISTS
BOARD INFORMED OF THE STTI A.
TION LAST APRIL.
Refused to Take Any Action in the
Matter-Tests Made n Year Ago.
TubercuiOsis Discovered and
Quarantine Imm ediate-
ly Established.

Manhattan, kas., Sept. 4-(Speciai.) The
srnsatiorai Dispatch from Topeka. in sew
eral papers to-day. regarding the ALLEGED
arming condition of the Kansas argicuit-
ural college here, as result OF tuhsr-
culosis. Great d considerable excitement
here and great indignation on the part of
those who know the facts. The presence
of tuberculosis in the herd has been kowu
for long time, and Professor Georgesou
has reported it to the board OF regents on
different occasions. DIR. Mayo. the veter-
marion of the college under the old ad-
ministration made post mortem eXamina-
tion of several badly infected animals at
the request of Professor Georgeson, the
professor of agriculture, under whose
charge the herd was, and the facts Were
duly reported to the board at the Apr.
meeting. 1t is. the refore. no new discovery
Professor Georgeson said this evening:
las long ago, as 1894 I reported to the
beard that ] had reason to believe certain
animals In the herd were tuberculOus. and
requested permission to test the whole herd
with tuberculin. The board granted per
mission, however. for the testing OF ony
five animals one of which was found to b..
tuberculous.
Again, year ago, I made an urgent re-
quest for permission to test the whole herd.
which was granted. since the government
would furnish the tuberculin free of cost
to the college. The test was made by DR.
| Mayo. The result showed that. Of fifty
five animals, eighteen were affected These
were at once isolated and have been kept so
since. None of this milk has been used. not
even for feeding their own calves. The re-
suit of the test was reported to the board
at the April meeting, and recommendation
made as to the disposition of the animals
but they treated the matter lightly. Some
OF the members even went so far as to ex-
press strongly their contemr: for such
test, and no action was taken. 1 could do
nothing further than to keep the diseased
animals isolated. Now the regents would
have 1t appear that 1t is new discovery.
revealing the mismanagemenr OF tine late
administration. when, as a matter OF fact
1t is the msmanagement of the present
Populist board
Asked as to the assertion that Mrs
Georgeson was a victim OF tuberculosis -
result of using milk from the herd. Pro-
fessor Georgeson pronounced Ii a fabrica-
ton, pure and simple.
Professor Georgeson will make a full re-
port to the proper authorities.
The following Is q sample OF the will
stories that were sent out from Topeka
yesterday: it was printed in the Chicago
Chronicle this morning: ''The board of re-
gents of the state agricultural college at
tie. sheep and hogs kept on the college
farm were infected with tuberculosis. The
attendants who have been employed at the
stables are seriously Ill and the man who
has had direct charge of the cattle is not
expected to live. having been suffering with
the disease for several months
Mrs. C. c. Georseson. wife of one OF the
professors. has also been III for some
weeks. and 1t Is reported that she bscam,
infected by using milk from the diseased
COWS. Paul z. Wilcox. an assistant. is also
suffering with tuberculosis and his lie l.
despaired of. He contracted the disease
while handling the cattle
THE existence of the disease WIS dis
covered by Professor II. NJ. Cottren. the
newly elected professor OF agriculture. He
reported the matter to the meeting OF the
board of regents to-day and immediate ac-
tion was taken to secure an expert in
vestigation of the disease.
THE regents fixed October 2 as the date
and will secure the services OF government
experts in making thorough examina-
tion. At that time the cattle. which ver.
to-day placed In quarantine. will BE-
slaughtered in the presence of the experts
and post mortem examinations viii be
made.
Manhattan in fact, the whole state OF
Kansas. is thoroughly excited over the dis
covery"