Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01

~ NE VINO has Kept an eye open TO
present-day activities must be
impressed with the growth in
~ scope and usefulness of the De-
partment of Agriculture. Adapt
ing itself to the exigencies of the complex
and varied interests of today, it has not
only become tested and valued friend OF
the farmer but has shielded the general
public from a host of ills. Startling eS-
periments are now being made in the field
of animal diseases which are directly
benefiting society by providing an uncon-
taminated food supply.
In pursuance of this line OF research
exre riment stations have been estao-
lshed in the various states. where work
can be carried on under the most favor
able conditions. OF these, stations the
one located on the outskirts of the DIS
trict of Columbia, at Bethesda, Nd, is
probably the most important. being at all
times in close touch with the Department
of Agriculture.
The experiment station at Bethesoa
covers an area of 145 acres. sixty-hve OF
which are leased. The administrative OF
fice and laboratory consist OF we'll
equipped one-story brick building en-
tjrely Inadequate for the amount of work
n IL
VIII soon see fit to add another story and
remedy this handicap Looking out from
this building, the panorama or the mary
land landscape is dotted with parns anu
curious housings. and the sounds issuing
from these betray the presence OF co..
lection OF animal life only duplicated py
Noah himself. 1t is conservative state
ment that every corner OF the station Is
the seat OF some important anu idsc'ha'
ing experiment
The superintendent of the experiment
station is DIR. z. c. Schroeder whose IN
tense enthusiasm has permeated the ehtile
corps of forty expert assistants ana heip-
ers and made the entire place veritabie
fncEiVe. =
chief in importance of the experiments
is that which pertains TO tuberculosis IN
animals and especially the unsuspected
but dangerously tubercuious COW 1he olS-
coverieS made along this line or research
are startling. the truth of which are
most emphatically confirmed by concrete
experiments.
DIR. Schroeder emphasized the fact that
tuberculosis is in most cases "a slowly
progressive disease. In view of this long
interval of time passes after a COW De-
comes infected and begins To scatter ti-
bercele bacili in quantities dangerous TO
society Practical experience has proven
with few exceptions. that this interval is
sufficiently long for Il herd to be kept
entirely free from dangerously tubercu-
lous animals. provided the tuberculin
test is applied at least once each year
All animals that are susceptible to the
test must I've expelled and new ami
nal admitted until il has satisfactorily
passed the test.
The tubercuiin test consists in the appli-
cation of a substance formed by the gen.
GRAFTON OF tubercele bacilli in beef trough.
The germs are then destroyed by high
temperature and the residue mixed with
a glycerine composition This is then in
jected into the suspected animal and if
followed by rise in temperature the
presence OF tuberculosis is confirmed
This test is universally accepted by vet
erinarians Us an infallible means of
diagnosis. yet il gives no clue relative
the extent reacting animals are at
fected.
In view of this missing link in scientific
knowledge. although il may be known
that all cases of tuberculosis discovered
by tubercuiin are not at that precise
time dangerous. requiring severa! months
To develop the disease. il is necessary to
assume for safety that the tuberculous
cow is a menace from the time of infec-
ton.
The tests at the station have disclosed the
fact that the dangerously tuDerCIlous COW
may continue to be robust and act like
healthy animal long after she has be
come a positive menace. Her normal
functions auil sleek appearance is only a
deceiviug sham and the experiment sta
tion is today giving the public the true
status o. affairs.
In weli-kept quarters at the station are
at present nineteen head of prime cat
tie. selected at random from dairy sta
ticnS. supplying milk To the Dist of
Columbia. These cows seem 10 be the
very pcrsoniiication of health and gave