Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-07
RIGID INSPECTIONS
CAUSE OF THE HEALTH OF THE
CATTLE OF THE COUNTRY.
Secretary Wilson Discusses the Exter-
mination Of Disease-system Pur-
sued in Massachusetts,.

''The United States has the healthiest
cattle of any nation on the face Of the
earth,' said Secretary of Agriculture Will
son to a representative of The Star. This
is owing to our rigid system OF inspection
and our prompt measures TO eradicate dis
ease. In Europe 40 per cent Of the cattle
are infected with tuberculosis and in the
United States only 10 per cent and we will
soon have 1t entirely eradicated. We have
inspectors in Europe, and not one animal
infected in any way Is permitted to be
shipped to this country.
"Our efforts to prevent the spread OF the
foot and mouth disease in Massach lsetts
have met with marked success. The disease
has been eradicated, and we are now en-
gagged In fumigating the infected places.
Barns. sheds. haystacks and buildings gen.
orally will receive attention. The contents
OF buildings will also be fumigated. Hay.
grain or anything which might harbor the
bacilH will be treated or destroyed. We will
have to burn some Of the barns where the
disease was the worst, but, Of course, will
pay for them. Our system has been to de-
stroy entire herds where one animal was
affected, and this is the only safe way. In
Asia they destroy only the diseased animal,
and as q result always have the disease
with them. We are not permitted to do GER
tain things without the consent of the state
governments, and in Massachusetts, one of
our agents was arrested for cruelty to AMI
mails. In another instance q state officer
advised the owners to demand more than
the market price for the cattle which were
killed.
the public welfare interfered with in this
way, but we continued to keep up the good
work just the same. We have one method
of securing the cooperation Of the state
14- til
tain rights, we can quarantine against a
state in which q contagious disease exists
and enforce the interstate commerce law.
Action of this sort is sure to bring about
hearty cooperation on the part of the peo-
pie Of the state.
Elm our efforts to eradicate all disease we
have established very rigid regulations COW
ering what is known as scab, a disease
affecting sheep. We require that sheep in
fected shall be dipped twice in solution Of
lime and sulphur The second dipping takes
place several days after the first. By that
time the seeds will have matured and the
second dipping kills the new bacil. We
require Mexicans to thus treat their sheep
before bringing them to this country, and
as result the disease Is almost eradicated.
What is known as -blackleg has yielded to
vaccination. Over one million and a half
doses of blackleg vaccine were distributed
In the last year. and the reports show that
the loss among the cattle thus treated was
Oh Of the whole. Some were probably in
fected before treatment, and perhaps some
died from mistakes made In the operation.
I would think the actual per cent somewhat
lower.
I'VE have had some Information showing
the presence Of disease among the reindeer
in Alaska. These animals are valuable to
the natives OF that country and supply a
very good food reserve for necessities. They
are. multiplying very rapidly, and I regret
to hear that disease has appeared. Most
Of the animals are brought over from ST.
IBERIA. and there Is no inspection. No one
would willingly buy and transport dis
eased animal. but the absence Of any sys-
tenn OF scientific examination makes the
importation Of infected animals possible.
Our laws cannot be too rigid in the protec-
ton of our foodstufs, and we should have
the assistance Of every community in our
efforts to drive out all these contagious
diseases. We will not raise the quarantine
In Massachusetts, until all the premises are
thoroughly disinfected.'