Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-22
Disease Said to Be Spreading In
Dairy Herds. ,ea
DR.. ]. MILLER URGES An EXAMINATION
The Introduction of Disease Germ.
Through Medium Of MIX Liable
to Excite Lingering Germs
Of Tuberculosis.

The subject regarding the existence
of tuberculosis in cattle and the neces-
sity of having the dairy cattle supply
ing milk to the residents of this city
examined, is one on which there is
considerable discussion just at pres
ent. 1t is matter of more than vital
Importance if the facts be true as set
out by those who have given the
alarm. tuberculosis, it has been
learned, may be introduced to the hui
man system through the agenay of
milk from an animal affected with the
disease, and especially is there danger
from this source in case Of persons in
whom the germs of tuberculosis may
be lingering. The Introduction Of the
additional germs in the milk is liable
to excite the lingering germs that were
already in the body, and produce the
worst form of the disease. Tuberculo-
sis in cattle is spreading, and the fol-
lowing communication from DR.. j.
Miller, government inspector at the
packing house of John Morrell q Co.,
will be of interest and source of in
formation to those who are interested
in this matter:
Editor Courier: 1t is evident from
Investigations now being made in this
and adjoining states that tuberculosis
is prevalent to an alarming extent in
some of the dairy herds, and the ques-
ton as to the ACCESSIBILITY of having
the dairy cattle supplying milk to this
| city examined, is now agitating the
| minds of our citizens.
This is a question that we all are
interested in, for not only does the
consumer wish to know that the milk
his family is using is free from dam
gerous and disease-producing germs,
| but the producer should also know
| this. not only for the protection of
his family and customers, but for an
other reason-that of the maintenance
of his herd. If the disease exists in
one or more individuals of his herd, it
is almost sure, within few weeks, or
months, to be communicated to others
and ultimately result in the complete
I infection of his herd and their entire
worthlessness as dairy stock.
| Having assisted in the examination
of the dairy herds which was made
here few years ago, which proved SO
accurate and reliable and which has
since been corroborated by other
qualified men in numerous instances,
and without single failure, am of
| the opinion that another examination
of the dairy herds of this community
should be made, for the following
reasons:
i First-Because COWS suffering from
tuberculosis, even in the incipient
stages, are likely to communicate the
disease through the milk supply to
the human family, the danger increas-
ing as the disease advances.
| Secondly-That in the majority OF
cases it is impossible to tell by any
physical examination of cattle wheth.
er the disease is present or not
; Thirdly-That herds which We're free
| from the disease five years ago may he
infected now in that dairymen intro
duce new individuals into their herds
year by year without having them
tested.
\. Fourthly-That the tuberculosis
} test" is reliable and practical and UNI
! der our state law can be obtained at q
minimum cost. ] further believe tina
examinations conducted by the stat,
, veterinary and his assistants are pro
ductiye of the best results.
; 81. Miller. !,