Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-02-27
HAD TUBERCULOSIS

A COW belonging to julius Schoen-
field, No. 31S S. Fourth street, was killed
Thursday upon advice. of DR.. g. A.
Mills. The COW had been ailing for
some time and Sunday, a week ago, the
veterinarian was called in and after
viewing the symptoms arrived at the
conclusion that the animal was suffer
ing from tuberculosis. The disease
was in very advanced stage and it
was apparent that the animal could
live but short time. He advised that
the animal be killed, informing the
owner that if the state veterinarians
department were advised and the COW
killed by order of that department that
he could secure part payment for the
beast. Instead, the owner himself
killed the COW on Thursday and when
he found out the mistake he had made,
he had the animal hauled to the city
dumping grounds. Those interested in
the matter, thought that for the bene-
fit of the public, in an educational way,
the matter should not there drop. Ac-
cordingly a trip was made to the dump
ing grounds, one of the lungs and the
heart removed and taken to the agri-
cultural school. Newspaper reporters
were summoned and demonstration
given before the classes of the agricul-
tural and training schools by people
having knowledge of the disease and
its effects. Upon cutting into the lung
one tubercular abcess, twice the size of
a mans hand was found. This was
filled with nearly two quarts of yel-
low pus. Another, fully as bad but not
so large, was found. also containing
pus. A full examination of the lung
was not made or other large ulcers
might have been discovered, but it was
apparent that there was hardly por-
ton of the lung tissue but what was
affected. By running knife through
the tissue, smaller ulcers from the
size of an oat kernel upward were found
without number. The smaller ones, in
appearance, resembled a piece of fat
pork after it has been subjected to heat.
In the cells of the larger ones were al
so found hard substances, where guam
titles of pus had dried up. 1t was not
the most pleasant sight in the world
but the demonstration was given for
the purpose of informing the students
of conditions found in herds, as part
of their agricultural training, and to
the reporters that the public might be
informed thro ugh the columns of news
papers of the dangers which are lurk-
ing in the sale of milk which has not
been treated by modern processes.
There is some history connected with
this COW which it might be well to here
state. We have been informed that
milk from this COW has been sold to
patrons and used in family of six
people since she came into the posses
sion of Mr.. Schoenfeldt. Indeed great
pride was taken in the animal, for she
was good mixer, and, we further learn,
netted her owner about S1G0 profit
during last season, though no milk had
been sold from her for several months
because she had gone dry. Mr..
Schoenfeldt cannot be blamed for any
negligence, for he was not aware,
until recently, that the animal as dis
eased..
tuberculosis in cattle is a peculiar
disease in the fact that it is generally
not apparant until the tuberculin test
has been applied, and then the animal
may live for several years after without
showing any signs of the disease to a
person unfamiliar with its nature. One
COW having the disease will spread it
to an entire herd within very short
time. Where the disease affects the
lungs only, people might use the milk
from such cows fer long period with
out danger of contracting the disease
themselves. But, as very often hap
pens, ulcers form around the udder
cisterns. the cells break allowing the
pus tc fiow into the milk and then
persons using the milk are more than
apt to contract consumption. Babes
and children especially are likely to
have their lives cut short in this way,
for men of science have traced the
death of thousands of young people to
the use of impure milk.
1t is hoped that this case viii cause
an awakening among those supplying
milk to patrons. There are no doubt
many such cases in the county.
Where whole herds are discovered
affected in this way, as have been
found in the state, there are undoubted-
ly many isolated cases, scattered
throughout every county.