The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-20
owner ought to study up the possibili-
ties of his location in the fruit growing
line, and do all he can OF it.
The Tuberculin Test.

Ine New Hampshire Cattle Commits
sioners finished last week an interest
ing experiment with ten Holstein cattle
which reacted theoretically to the in
lection of tuberculin in June, 1897, but
seemed to be perfectly well. They are
isolated, and have received "such SAM
tary treatment as any dairy cattle
should have-good ventilation, light,
exercise, and moderate feed" The
tuberculin test was repeated, Septem-
Der IL, when only five of the animals
reacted to it. One was killed for ex-
animation, which
"Failed to reveal any more evidence
of disease than can be found in large
percentage of the cattle in the country
to-day. twas 80 infinistesimal as to re-
quire no consideration upon any health
basis and was strong proof OF the ex-
travagance in destroying animals by
the test alone"
On tuberculinizing again, December
/, only three animals reacted, one of
them having already shown manifest
signs of tuberculosis; and the same was
the case, February %. Later, these
three were killed. The two which had
seemed we'll but reacted to the tubercu-
lin showed on post-mortem, the COM
missioners say
"Slight evidence Of disease, but in
such condition as to lead to the conclu-
sion that it had not only been arrested
but was on the way to ultimate recov-
cry. How much this result was due to
the treatment of the animals and how
much to the alleged curative qualities
of tuberculin is q matter of conjecture
only. There are no developments of
science in regard to the nature and
characteristics of bovine tuberculosis
that warrant the destruction Of such
animals"
The six remaining cattle gave no re-
spouse to tuberculin on examination in
MAY; "to all appearances and from any
form of examination are as healthy and
vigorous as any cattle in the State; "
and have been acquitted Of all suspicion
of disease and sent about their bust
ness. The conclusion seems inevitable,
either that the first test was deceptive,
the cattle having no tubercles about
them; or else, if present, the disease
has disappeared, possibly in part from
some curative power exercised by the
| tuberculin.
The commissioners offer the follow
ing remarks in comment-we condense
somewhat:
The policy outlined at the outset,
and resolutely followed has been sus-
tanned by the result of this experiment
and is being adopted in the States
around US where more radical policy
has previously prevailed. In Massa-
chusetts, where more than $4,000
have been spent during the past four
years and where every animal reacting
| to the tuberculin test was destroyed,
the whole matter has been abandoned.
In Connecticut, where the same eX-
travagant policy prevailed, the author
| tiles are now working upon practically
the same line as in New Hampshire.
This means the destroying of tubercu-
lous animals, detected by a physical
examination, and the advocacy OF sani-
tary measures for the prevention OF the
disease. We have faith in tuberculin
as diagnostic agent and depend upon
it for certain purposes, but not as au-
thority for destroying animals.
1t is worthy of note that during all
the unreasonable scare and extrava-
gance around US the cattle commission
ers of New Hampshire have attended
to every legitimate call for action, made
an inspection of every herd where
| symptoms of tuberculosis were re-
ported, destroyed every tuberculous
animal detected from a physical ex-
animation, advised in regard to changes
necessary for prevention of further de-
velopment of disease in every instance
and yet have expended but about half
the money appropriated. The balance
is in the State treasury, and the cattle
it would have paid for are alive causing
danger to no one.
We believe action to the extent taken
in New Hampshire is advisable for the
protection of public health. We have
abundant evidence that there has been
remarkable reduction in the bovine
tuberculosis existing in New Hamp-
shire under the action taken, and be.
lieve it to be reduced to about the
minimum point consistent with ex-
pense. 1t can never be eradicated but
should be held in check at the lowest
possible ebb largely by the sanitary
conditions provided by stock owners.
We consider the herds of the State ex-
ceedingly free from disease, and they
can be kept so if the necessary precau-
tions are observed. Educational work
in securing these conditions is as e.
sential as the killing and burying of
diseased animals. - Country Gentle
man.