The evening times., 1899-06-05
CATTLE DISEASE IN CHICAGO.

Many Cows Have Taberculosis and
MIX In Under Suspicion.
Chicago. June 5.-One-third of the COWS
from which milk is taken for the Chicago
market are affected with tuberculosis.
Their milk is mixed indiscriminately with
that Of healthy animals. and thus nine
tenths Of the milk sold in this city is ''sus-
picious."
Cows 0fYering from tuberculosis usu-
ally show no outward symptoms CT the dis
ease, and it is impossible for dairyman
to detect it except by the tuberclin test ap-
piled to every COW. AS cows discovered
with the disease are at once conf1scated
for rendering. without compensation to the
owner, dairymen are tempted to hide cases
o; tuberculosis and protect the herds from
the State officials.
These are startling facts brought out by
the Investigation by the State veterinarian
and the State Live Stock Commission Of
animals at the stockyards during the last
week. Twenty-Five cows, selected at ram
dom from a herd OF seventy eight in a
dairy which sends two cars of milk to the
Chicago market every day, we're found to
have tuberculosis in one form or another.
some SO badly as to make their milk posi-
lively dangerous, while others were only
slightly affected.
All the cattle were at once condemned
and sent to the rendering tanks, but that
summary action disposes of only tithe CT
the infected cattle from which milk is be-
ing supplied daily to citizens Of Chicago
The disease is making great progress
among the cattle In the country contribu-
tary to Chicago, and on account of its Pc
culiar nature and the present condition
nj the la no ayaminafinp n
herds 1t is most difficult to stamp out.
Just how much danger to the consumer
exists in milk from cows diseased in this
manner is hard to determine. since the
milk from no particular COW is drunk by
itself, but all is mixed in the cans-that
from healthy animals and from those par
TALLY or greatly affected by the disease
DR.. Spalding, of the health department
says that perfectly healthy adult would
probably be able to throw off the germs
unscathed, but in the case OF infants of
weak constitutions. or in case of typhoid
fever patient or persons not in perfect
health. lodging place for the germ would
be readily found, and infection might re-
suit. In any event, ii is certain that mi. k
from COWS suffering with tuberculosis in
any stage and butter and cheese made
from that milk are not TO be desired.
1t is not an easy matter for the State
veterinarians to find infected cattle. for
their discovery means their confiscation
and slaughter. with no recOmpense 10 the
dairyman. In many cases animals sus-
pected of having tuberculosis are quietly
shipped to Chicago. and many OF them slip
into the regular market and evade the
rendering tank.
DR.. Gehrmann, city bacteriologist. said
Saturday night: This milk-the milk
which comes to Chicago affected with tu-
bercuiosis-is especially bad for the chill
dren. but it would be better If no one
drank it. The great trouble is that an
owner of cows will not call in a ve,erina-
rian except as last resort. fer it means
his ruin.
Illinois should have a law like some
other States compelling the examination
of cows when sold by the breeder to the
dairyman. This would be for the beneft
of the public health"
Twenty-seven cows affected with tuber-
culosis, according to the tests made. will
be killed at the stockyards today and the
city health authorities will attend the ex-
animation OF these cattle.