Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-16

for animals slaughtered, instead OF
half pay, with limited appraisal. as
at present. Various other safeguards
are demanded 10 insure the owners
against loss.
: There is bound to be widevariance
of views over these matters. Oppo-
nents of the present system maintain
that it is humbug that the tubercu-
lin test is unreliable; that practically
sound cattle are sacrificed in large
numbers at heavy loss to owners; that
the disease has existed in cattle for
many years without serious result /;
that it is not communicable to man
kind and that in sections where tuber-
culosis in cattle is most prevalent, the
kindred disease in mankind is, if any
thing, below the average.
On the other hand, believers in the
tuberculin test sing its praises loudly,
claiming that it is seldom in error;
THAT it often reveals a condition of
disease unsupported from the animals
outward appearance; that the eating
OF tuberculous meat and products is at
best dangerous and offensive; that no
other effective test has been discov-
cred; and that, if fully carried out
throughout the state, the disease
would be checked and finally disap-
pear altogether
In fine, each side makes out a clear
case-until you hear the other side.
The truth probably lies between the
two extremes. tuberculosis in cattle
should be stamped out, if possible,
without too serious loss TO individuals.
Though its danger to the human race
has been greatly exaggerated, all will
agree that its presence in food prod
ucts is most undesirable, to say moth
ing of its effect in depicting herds.
The tuberculin test has undoubted
merit. Very few animals react under
it which do not, upon slaughter, give
evidence OF the disease in some stage
But here is where the trouble comes
Having tested and condemned an
animal, the veterinary has in a meas
ure staked his reputation that the
animal has tuberculosis and when he
examines it he is bound to find what
he is looking for, even if the mani
festation of it is so small as to escape
the natural eye. The owner who,
with many misgivings, has seen his
best looking cattle led out and killed
at half-price or less, and who is skep-
teal that they were affected at all
when he sees the veterinary looking
through the carcass with a microscope,
cannot be altogether blamed if his
general conclusion is against the
effectiveness of the test. On the other
hand, oftentimes the owner is sur
prised when the autopsy reveals his
best cattle practically rotten with the
disease.
As to state remuneration, it seems
hardly fair to the owner that a COW
that shows up at post-mortem exami-
nation with only a pimple which the
veterinary pronounces a tuberculous
growth-that this COW should 90 at
half-price or less. And, contrary, it
does not seem fair to the state that
COW so tull of the disease that her
death is only question OF days .
should be paid for at what deceptive .
physical appraisal would fix at full
value. As compromise, how would
it work to have disinterested apprais-
ers, selected jointly by the state board 4
and the owners, make an estimate on
each animals value before it is tested |
at all, then, if it is condemned and .
slaughtered, make another and final
estimate when the extent of the dis
ease is revealed, and let the state pay /
tne lull appraiser so made ms, 1t +
seems to us, would avoid much of the
complaint urged against the present
law, and would guard the interests of
all parties.
Without a general cooperation on
the part of farmers, no act can be
effective. Cattle owners, on their part,
should be fair to the state and the
public, and not seek to AVOID response
bility or to play shrewd with the
states treasury. A just law is wanted.
INDUSTRIAL NOTES.
George +. Royce has secured COM
plete control OF 10 marble properties
comprising over 400 acres OF land and
including the Corona l0-gang marble
mill at Brandon, with track to the