East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-31

will occur through the promiscuous
slaughter OF herds that are far from
being rendered yalueless by a few OF
their members reactIng.
There is no use evadlng the fact
that bovine tuberculosis is very prev
alent and rapidly increasing in this
state and that 1t is the greatest men,
ace. not only to the oregon dairyman.
but to the whole cattle industry
Science is not yet well satisfied as
to whether bovine tuberculosis Is
lransmlssible To tae human. Upon
this point the most eminent authori-
ties disagree. Personally we are Of
the opinion that there is very little
danger OF human beings contracting
tuberculosis through the use OF the
milk from tubercular cows. The
fact that statistics show that tuber-
culosis has increased rapidly the last
few years among the dairy herds sup
plying our eastern cities with milk,
while It has materially decreased
among the consumers OF that milk.
would seem almost conclusive evi-
dence on this point
While We believe that tuberculosis
is the greatest menace to the dairy
man. we believe the public has more
to fear from such troubles rs dysen-
ta-y and typhoid. through unsanitary
conditions in the dairy than It has
from tuberculosis. For the good of
the public health as we'll as the dairy
industry It is well that public senti-
ment is being aroused, but their ac-
tions should be guarded and intelli-
gently directed. We have some very
good dairy laws, but others are need
ed We have through the northwest
some good dairy officers. but not
enough Of them. The dairy industry
has made wonderful growth in this
part OF the country the past few
years and It is now larger than the
provisions for taking care Of it. To
properly inspect the dairies and en-
force the laws We have and others
that may be passed. a stronger off,
cial force is needed. The office Of
food and dairy commissioner should
be made into two offices and the
dairy commissioner should have
enough deputies to properly cover the
field, with a state appropriation am
pie for their maintenance.
The leading Industry Of the state
that produces so much wealth annu-
ally and its products enter more
largely into the daily menu of all
classes Of our population than the
products Of any other one industry is
entitled to every needed support. II
is mistaken economy to stint II.
Without any undue publicity or ex-
citement the eradication Of tubercu-
losis from the herds OF the state
should be taken up Systematically and
with determination law to pre-
vent the importation into the state
OF unlnspected cattle is needed and
through the efforts Of our state and
federal officers and the Oregon Pure
Bred Livestock association an effic-
lent law Of this kind will. without
doubt, be passed at the next session
OF the state legislature Annual in
spection Of our dairy and breeding
herds by experienced and competent
veterinarians should be inaugurated,
but the ruthless slaughter Of all sus-
poets is, we think. a falaci0us policy.
Prompt, decisive and united action
will in a very few years stamp this
disease out Of our herds. The oppo-
site course would in time mean the
destruction Of the dairy and beef in
dustry.
THE RAILROAD THREAT.