The Newtown bee., 1901-04-19

ton whether l get anything or not"
81 shall leave it to you to give me
what you think is right
These and many other similar re-
marks have been sofrequently heard
by the commissioner that no reply of a
different tone is now expected.
PREVENTION.
The tubercle bacilli will retain their
vitality only very short time when
exposed to ,he direct rays of the sun.
The germs cannot retain their power
to do harm for any great length of
time in diffused or reflected light.
This shows the Importance of secur-
ing as much light in the stable as pos
sible. Windows to admit light and
whitewaShed walls to reflect it would
turn many dark and unhealthy den
into light, cheerful, and wholesome
stables, thereby adding greatly to the
comfort, pleasure, and healthfulness
of both owner and cattle. Stables
should be white washed every year be-
cause lime in addition to being good
reflector is disinfectant. "Cleanli-
ness is next to Godliness.' This trite
saying applies to the stable and it's oc-
cupants as forcibly as to the home and
| the home makers. There is far more
danger to the public health in filthy
stables, dirty COWS, and untidy mixers
than in tuberculous COWS.
A great majority of the stables in
this state leave little to be desired in
the way of improvement, still there
are many that would be greatly bene-
flied by more windows and more
whitewaSh. In his visits about the
state the commissioner has volunteered
suggestions along these lines, to do
more than this the law does not give
him warrant.
The question is frequently asked if
the modern way Of constructing barns,
covering them with matched sheath
ing, and stopping every crack and crew
ice with battens or with mortar, is not
largely responsible for bovine tubercu
losis. The only reply that can be
made to this inquiry is, that cattle
will fatten better, yield more milk,
and thrive better generally in a warm
barn if it is sufficiently ventilated, and
are exercised in the care of the cattle.
If the dairyman who provides good
warm stables for his COWS and gives
them an abundance Of good feed and
then turns them out of doors in the
morning and keeps them out until
''chore- time" at night in the cold and
stormy weather with no shed to pro-
tect them from the bleak winter winds
should himself go out in the same ap-
parel he wears in his own house, bare
headed and with slippers on his feet,
drink about three glasses of ice
water, and then stand around doing
nothing but "chewgum" just as he
permits his COWS to do, only One-sixth
as long, the chances are that he would
contract such cold as would lower his
vitality and make him susceptible to
pneumonia or tuberculosis (consump-
tion).
Such treatment of COWS will not of
itself produce tuberculosis any more
than blowing and narrowing piece of
turf ground will of itself produce a
crop of corn.
If the disease germs are present in
the COWS any treatment or circum
stances that produces sudden shock
to her vital energies and consequent
lowering of her vitality will have the
same effect as the cultivation of the
ground if the seeds of corn are present
in the soil.
The most successful dairymen are
coming to realize that the same by
gienic conditions that keep themselves
and their families in good health apply
with equal force to their COWS, and
they are endeavoring more and more
to treat COW as they would lady.
D1sINFECTIoN
The destruction of an animal hay
ing advanced or generalized tubercu-
losis will prove of little avail if another
animal is placed in the same stall be-
fore the stall and manger have been
thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. AS
has been stated the tubercle bacilli re-
tain their vitality long time in dark
and damp places. For this and other
reasons which are too apparent to call
for special mention here, every stall
and manger which has been occupied
by tuberculous animal should be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at
once after the diseased animal has been
removed. A thorough scalding of the
stall, stanchion and manager with hot
water, followed by the application of a