Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-07-12

Chairman.
A. p. JACKSON, Secretary.
The Misuse of Tuberculin.
1.-THE tnterculin test of breeding ami
mails now required by all quarantine
regulations Of the Quilted States and
Canada is proving hurtful to the cat
tls-breeding industry of America. -
This is the blunt, unqualified declara.
tion made by Shorthorn breeders Of
the Mississippi Valley, assembled at
the annual meeting of the Central
Short-horn Breeders Association at
Kansas City last week. Asserting that
the test has proved no substantial
protection they denounce it as "a
menace to their herds and an unnec-
essary restriction upon their bust
ness" On this ground they rest an
emphatic request to the agricultural
authorities of both countries to re-
move the quarantine restrictions bas-
ed on the tuberculin test. This petit
lon will also be sent to the livestock
sanitary boards of every State in the
Union.
This is an appeal that may we'll give
pause 10 those who are responsible for
this vicious regulation. 1t is the voice
OF the men most concerned, it is the
expression of those in whose interests
allegedly the test was required. Itis
not hastily-formed conclusion. Cat
tle-breeders have listened to the sci
entists on this subject entirely dubi,
GUS Of the correctness Of their latter
day contentious concerning the dis
ease, but inclined to tolerate the In
convenience and annoyance Of the
experiments being performed on a
large scale If possible good could come
from them. But soon individual COM
plants began to arise. Personal ac-
quaintance with the workings of the
compulsory test quickly awakened
disgust and kindled resentment and
as the trade expanded, bringing more
and more within the reach of this
regulation, the protests swelled to the
strong chorus that is now being voiced
by organized stockmen. The Ameri-
can Association Of Exhibitors Of Live
Stock, the breeders association in
their Chicago meeting, the Nationa
Live Stock Association, and now the
Central Short-horn Breeders Associa
tion have spoken out positively against
theAuarantine nowbased on tuberculin
test and to this expression the author
tiles will do well to give heed. We
have the unique spectacle at the pres
emit time Of practically unanimous
protest from individual breeders and
organized associations against the en-
forcement of a measure which the
veterinarians are endeavoring to per
suade cattlemen is for their own good
As the livestock breeders of America
are OF sound reasoning faculties and
able to figure out the case for them.
selves they are declining with thanks
the proffered aid from the scientists
now engaged in experimentation.
Their experience with tuberculip has
taught them the dangers to healthy
cattle connected with its use. In the
nature OF the case the evidence or
this point that can be given from
many an importing and breeding farm
is not such as will admit of publica
tion, but it is available for the proper
authorities at any time. A public
statement Of the losses incurred II
healthy animals from this experiment
tai dosing with tuberculin would kin
die resentment among men whose
property is thus put in jeopardy by
the veterinarians that would not cas-.
lily be assuaged. 1t is against this
gathering storm, the mutterings O,
which are plainly percsptibie, thai
The Gazette has warned these expert
mentors with other people 3 property
The cattle breeders of this cont
nent arc willing thatscientis is SHOULD
carry on all the experiments they de
sire at their own Or at Governmental
expense. They decline longer to furn
i6h the subjects. They object mos
strenuously to the compulsory use O.
tuberculin on animals which are no
under suspicion OF disease because o.
the losses which are known to have
resulted from the indiscriminate Of
fetal injection of this stuff into the
veins OF healthy animals. Evidence
on this point is constantly aceumulat
ing. Enough has already been collect
ed to warrant the sweeping denuncia.
tions Of the Kansas City convention.
The officials Of the Agricultural De.
partments of the United States and
Canada are confronted with a grave
situation, the result of the misleading
advice of over-zealous scientists
Breeders now demand Of them the