The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
SOME DAIRYMEN REPENT
DIDN'T EXPECT BOARD OF HEALTH
TO Mako SUCH THOROUGH TESTS,
But Their Patrons Insist on Certin.
cates-The Association Holds
n Lively Meeting.

There was a long wrangle at the monthly
meeting of the Darymens Association in
the Criminal courtroom last night, when the
recent action Of the Board OF Health in ex-
aiming and killing cows found to be in
fected with tuberculosis germs, was dis
cussed. Nothing definite came Of the dis
cusson other than an expression in favor
of the passage of laws by the next Legis-
laturc making it compulsory on all farmers
furnishing milk for public consumption to
have their cows tested and killed where in
fected with some system of compensation
for the animals destroyed.
The attendance last night was larger than
at any previous meeting, some sixty dairy
men being present. The meeting a month
ago, when the association suggested that
the Board of Health make sanitary exami-
nations, was not attended by more than
fourteen dairymen. Last night there was
considerable abuse from men not connected
with the association over the movement to
destroy consumptive cows, especially from
those who have been forced to have their
herds tested in response to public sentiment,
and who have had to kill some of their cows.
Protests were equally strong from those
who have been pressed by their customers
to show health certificates, but who do not
want to run the risk of having some of
their cattle killed. A German dairyman
epitomzed the discomfort of this class when
he said that when he came to the first
meeting he was tempted to wipe his shoes
of the whole business and never have any
thing TO do with it." At one time he moved
that the association adjourn and never
meet again." At another time, when the
necessity for more frequent meetings was
urged, at least biweekly meetings, he moved
to adjourn until the Fourth OF July" An
other malcontent declared that the assoca-
ton had begun in the wrong way had COM
the ladder instead from the bottom up
wards. Before taking any steps to kill COWS
he thought that something ought to have
been done towards providing compensation
cows He said that it was all very nice to
talk about killing the cows, but what, he
asked, was the man to do who had to have
f1Xe, SIX. perhaps dozen, of his COWS
killed? This man loved his cows, he said,
almost as much as he loved mis- family. DIR.
p. ID, Clark, secretary of the Board of
Health, arose to reply to him, stating that
the board regretted the necessity for killing
any cows, but he asked if it would not be
poisonous milk to be sold to unsuspecting
customers? The irate dairyman made a
supplemental statement lin which he de-
c!ared that he had no fault to find with
either the Board of Health or the assoca-
ton. He only wished to impress upon those
present the necessity for taking some steps
to compensate the men whose cows are
killed. There was more talk in this direc-
ton, indicating a tendency to call on the
State for assistance in this respect.
DIR. MORRISON'S BOMBSHELL
DR.. F. A. Morrison, president of the Board
of Health. dropped something of a bombshell
when lie asserted that the war had only be-
gun, and that it would be continued from
now on. When he got through talking, men
WHO do not belong to the Dairy Association
and who have not taken any steps to have
their herds tested for tuberculosis, made Up
their minds that they might as we'll accept
the situation at once or quit the business.
The same German who wanted to wipe his
feet of the whole business" declared that
the dairymen had made a mistake when
they tried to give the Board of Health liz
structions." They know their business;
We know ours" said he. What business
have we got mixing things like, that?
Those who head him talk concluded that
his patrons had been demanding that he
show his certificate of health, and that mas
much as he had not applied to have his cat
tie tested he found the pressure rather en-
barraSSfng.
The president explained that the Dairy
Association had never by formal action de-
cided to ask the card of Health to make
tuberculine tests. At the last meeting IL
was simply suggested that the board look
into sanitary conditions When the health
officials stated the terms on which they
would act the question was evaded and no
formal action was taken. The next day.
however a nonassociation man applied for
a certificate. agreeing to kill all diseased
cows and had thereby set the pace. Anoth-
er association man said that he was slow
in calling for his certificate, but that AFTER
his customers began demanding it, he con-
Guided no time was to be lost. Il venture
to saw" said he that of the hundreds of
customers there are not more than ten or
twelve of them who have not demanded
that my drivers produce the certificate"
meeting adjourned.
O'clock Dr. Clark took a large number of
the dairymen down to the city laboratory to
exhibit the specimens of diseased lungs he
has on hands which We're taken from cows
slaughtered last week. The association adj
journed to meet in two weeks when the
subject of legislation will be discussed.