The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-02-29
WILL BEAR WATCHING

IN IFS issue oi February Ist the
WING noted the intent on oi DIR.
Marshall Price, Secretary OF the
State Board Of Health. To introduce a
bill in the present Legislature, provid-
ing for the inspection OF all dairy herds
by the State Sanitary Board. No one
can properly object To- every proper pre-
caution against the introduction OF M
pure products into the consumers
home But there are two sides to this
matter 81 the tnbcrculin test and il is
quite possible Tor medical iad:StS 10
subject the farmers al this State 10 an
enormous financial loss without any
just warrant for such loss We can
best state to our readers what wc pre-
c Scly mean by quoting from 4 recent
ARA gnment 81 the tubcrculin test.
contained in resolution adopted by
New York State Grange, and which
deserves the careful attention oi men
who have thousand, 81 dollars invest
cd in dairy stock:
The grange meeting. representing
500 members. was much wrought up
over the attacks on the sanitary condi-
ton oi the herds II that State. Speak
crs declared that the tests " i arouse
the dormant bacili IN cattle and cause
the COWS to Succumb to tuberculosis.
thus taking the living away from farm
ers aud da:rymcn, and dcpriving the
consumer oi hi, butter and milk. be-
sides cndaugcrlng human lives In
other words. the tests would lead to
complete annih lation oi the herds in
stead I'll serving rs remedy Tor sup
posed evil conditions
The following unanimous resolution
was sent tn tie State Grange. which
met ON February 4. The legislative
committee ~ the State Grange will
fight the resolution before the l.cgis-
laturc and the Governor II said
that 100000 farmers are back ~ the
fight
Whereas. The New York State De-
partmcnt 81 agriculture. through its
health officer. is about to institute an
indiScrim'uatc compulsory tubcrcuin
test oi dairy cattle. regardless ni the
consequence or cost to the individual
or the dairy interests At large; W thout
counsel 81 either producer or consumer
OF dairy products; without undspu,cd
statistics. and without practical demon
stration ri the theory that bovine tn
bcrculosis is communicable to man:
and
Whereas. We, rs experienced da ry-
men and farmers, thorough" familiar
with the breeding and rearing at cat
tie. claimro Ia be honest men. and
having pride and profit in Our fine
dairy herds. and Stoutly maintaining
that our New York State cattle in
health and management can compete
favorablv " tn any herds in the land.
do hereby cXnrcSs ourselves as rigidly
opposed to the aforesaid ind,scrimn-
ate COMPULSORY tubcrculin test. bclcy-
inp il to be direct blow NJ our dairy
industry. and. because of its iuaccuracy,
menace to man and herd al Ike: and
Whereas. With no malice to the
scientists who are advocating the test
or uniricndlincSS in our brothers OF
veterinary practice. whom We believe
10 be sincere and conscientious men.
but who are liable To be II error. and.
furthermore. who are hoDclcSsly divid
ed in authoritative opinion; therefore
he it
Resolved. That We cmnha,icallv CON
denim. and will VIGOROUSLY defend our
selves AGAINST the act'vit rs AZ the De
partmcut 81 Agriculture in its insist
encc on the COMPULSORY tuhcrculin test
as annlicd to obviously healthy cattle {:
First-Ns ar invasion OF our ind vid-
ual PRIVILEGES rs citizens
Seconds prciudicai 10 a profitable
dairy industry and a reflection on our
INTELLIGENCE and honesty as men
Third-As n propos ton lacking evil
dcncc al its utility. lacking proof Of
its accuracy. lacking agreement NJ cx-
pert authority
And fnaly--hS a too hasty deduction
az = theory Unsupported by the cold
facts Of convincing practice