Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-08
EXPRESSES ITS VIEWS
Milk Producers Association
Files a Statement
WITH THE COMMISSIONERS
Opposed to Application of Compulsory
Tuberculin Test.
ASKS FOR A DISAPPOINTMENT
Thinks Any Regulation Should Be
Clear and Definite Beyond Posi-
bility of Lax Interpretation.
ASKS FOR A DISAPPOINTMENT

bility of Lax Interpretation.
A committee representing the Milk Pro-
ducers' Association of Maryland. Virginia
and the District of Columeia who are OPP
posed to the proposed application of the
compulsory tuberculn test to all milch
cows supplying milk to Washington, has
appealed to the Commissioners to postpone
the enforcement of the test. stating that if
few months delay until Congress meets
is not permissible there should be an extra
session of Congress Ito grapple with the
evils which are now represented already
involving the people to fatal extent
communication on the subject has been
received by the Commissioners, signed by
r. Walton Moore, Blair Lee and A. c.
Richie. representing the association. 1t
Is being considered by Commissioner Mac
farland as president of the board. He will
refer it to his colleagues. with a recon-
mendation for disposition. 1t authori-
tatively stated today that the Commits
sioners will not act favorably upon the re-
quest. The communication. in part is as
follows
Divisible Into Three Heads.
The subject seems to be Invisible into
three heads: First, whether bovine tuber-
culosis can be communicated to human be-
ings: second. whether the tuberculin test is
prODer and reliable method of ascertain
ing the existence of bovine tuberculosis
and third. the advsa bilty of requiring the
tuberculin test to be made as set forth
In the proposed regulation
Under the first head We beg to say very
emphatically in behalf of the dairymen
OF Virginia and Maryland that they desire
the milk supply to be both pure and suff-
Gent. Their own children. drink this milk.
as we'll as the children living in the Dis
trict and as fathers of families. it is
no more their intention to force unhealthy
milk on the children of other people than
to supply it to their own children Re-
speeding the matter of the passing of tu-
! bercuosis from cattle to human beings,
there appears to be disagreement among
( scientific investigators.
1T may be suggested that if tuberculosis
/. exists among herds from which the milk
supply of the city of Washington Is de-
rived. and, If the disease can be COM
muncated by the milk. it would be neces-
sary, in order to sustain this theory. that
the families of the dairymen who use this
4 milk and others in their neighborhood
D should show some corresponding amount of
/. tuberculosis.
1T certainly seems proper that a general
: Inquiry should be made as to the health
conditions of families of dairymen and
, others using the same milk supply, as
T. certainlng the number of persons concerned
and the number of cases of tuberculosis, If
any existing
Those Liable to tuberculosis.
Furthermore. 1t should be borne in mind
that the classes in the city of Washington
who are alleged to be particularly liable to
tuberculosis are those that use milk least
and that, therefore, presumptively the cause
of the disease is not the milk supply but
/, wholly independent thereof.
feet of the test itself. The question arises
as to whether the introduction of this poi
{ sonous material does not injure or predis-
pose the COW to disease. 1t would seem
obvious that the heavy beef-producine
e stalwart type of animal which gives the
least yield of milk, will be most likely to
: show no reaction, whether diseased or not
1t is conceded, we understand, that ami
mails thoroughly diseased show little or no
reaction under the tubercuin test.
In this proposed regulation ii is designed
TO put the cost of the test upon the dairy
men: also the cost of the loss of cattle
which may be held to fail under the test
and these will be very heavy charges. 1t
q Is obvious that the act of Congress of 1895
under which 1t is proposed to pass this
regulation, did not contemplate the use of
the tuperculn test In the manner proposed
Postponement Suggested.
eff it be true that the proposed test has
not been as yet adopted in the most pro-
, gressiye portions of this country and that
the District of Columbia is without explicit
statutory authority from Congress to in
itiate and carry out the experiment. 1t
would seem highly desirable that the mat
ter should be deferred until congressional
action can be had, providing a complete
and adequate system, together with such
compensation for the animals which may
be condemned as to make the system pro-
posed effective upon the theory that it will
Improve the public health.
According to the editorials of medical
journals Of January, the communicability
OF bovine tuberculosis to human beings was
then question under debate between scien-
lists of different schools. IT, In the course
of ninety days. scientific discovery or re-
ports have revealed positive knowledge in
the iisht OF which. II there were legal au-
thorlty for It, the proposed regulation
should be passed. II would seem to imply a
crisis of national Importance rather than
mere matter of municipal regulation for
one city. The recent and rather excited
consideration which Is being given the milk
situation By the authorities of the District
of Columbia, II justified by the facts, points
10 the need of federal legislation of a gen
eral character. and If few months DELAY
until Congress convenes is not permissible
there should be an extra session of Con-
gress to grapple with the evils which are
now represented as already involving the
people to a fatal extent
Terms of Regulation.
= 'If the test is insisted upon the regulation
J. should be clear and definite and beyond the
" possibility of lax Interpretation, should pro-
vide for its execution by agents of the Dis
trict Of Columbia carefully selected and
properly bonded, so to be accountable not
only to the District government but to the
individual dairyman; should put the expense
upon the District government and not upon
the dairymen, who can Ill afford to stand 1t
should in terms operate and be executed In
the same manner everywhere and bear
equally upon all dalrymeu In order that
certain states and certain persons may not
be subjected to unfair and unlawful dis
elimination by the test being applied in
some localities directly by the agents of the
District and in other localities by officials
or individuals unconnected with the District
government and not in any way account.
able and whose statement may or may no,
be disinterested or trustworthy. and should
IL Ill