The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-20
AMONG LIVE STOCK
CONSUMPTION AMONG HOGS AND
CATTLE INCREASING.
Bureau of Animal Industry of Unit
ed States Department of Agricul-
ture Makes Alarming Statement.

GU DSptA Va NAEoth
ture Makes Alarming Statement.
The reports of the Bureau Of AMI
nal Industry Of the United States
Department of Agriculture indicate
that tuberculosis among live stock
is steadily increasing as shown by
the number of animals found effect
ed at the various slaughtering CEN
ters.
The increase in the number OF cas-
es found is due in part, but only
in part, to the increased efficiency
of the method Of inspection. The
meat inspecting figures show that
nearly l pr cent of cattle and over
per cent of hogs slaughtered are
tuberculous, which is surely an
alarming condition.
Feeding experiments conducted by
the Bureau have proved conclusive
ly that hogs are readily affected
throughout the indigestion of feces
and milk from tuberculous COWS.
There is, therefore, no doubt that
the prevalence of the disease in hogs
could be greatly reduced simply by
eradicating it from cattle.
Considerable testing of cattle has
been done in Washington, D. c.,
and vicinity for the purpose of as
sisting the district authorizes in OBJ
tanning 2 pure milk supply, and of
obtainin for the Gureau further
information regarding the extent of
tuberculosis in the locality and for
other purposes. In these tests about
II per cent of the dairy cattle re-
acted.
The percentage of tuberculosis in
various States, shown by tests con-
Quoted by the officials in those States
with bureau tuberculin, indicates
that from 2.79 to 1863 per cent of
the COWS react, and it is estimated
that in the country at large at least
1G per cent of the cows in dairy
Q6TQS are luUGICulOuo.
The recent agitation against the
milk of tuberculous cows as human
food has had the effect of causing
many herds to be examined, with as
tonishing results not only to the
owners but to the officials them
selves. Can it be wondered at that
so many infants and children die of
intestinal tuberculosis when so many
of the COWS from which milk is OBJ
tanned are. tuberculous?
Without considering the matter as
a public health question, but look
ing at it entirely from an economic
standpoint, and as business propo-
sition, live stock raisers cannot af-
ford to have tuberculosis in their
herds.
AS an illustration, Argentina re-
quires that all cattle imported into
that country shall be subjected to
the tuberculin test upon arrival,
and as consequence exporters from
the United States have had the test
made on cattle intended for ship
ment. The results Of these tests
showed that in some Of the pure
bred herds nearly SO per cent of the
animals were diseased and in con-
sequence sales were lost.
When the practice becomes gen.
eral for all buyers Of breeding cat
tie to have animals tested before
placing them in their herds the
breeder of strictly healthy cattle will
be much sought after. Already some
breeders of pure bred cattle have
established or are arranging to es-
tablish such herds.
AS soon as the breaders fully un-
derstand the fact that it is unprollt-
able to go on breeding cattle while
tuberculosis exists in their herds,
much of the objection raised against
the sale of live stock subject to in
spection will disappear, for it would
be worth the price Of several con-
demned animals for the owner OF a
valuable herd to know the fact as
early as possible if the disease en-
lists in his herd, as the longer he
delays in taking steps to prevent its
spread the greater will be his loss
evidently.
Figures for the last year secured
from abattoris where federal inspec-
ton is maintained, show that over
100 million pounds of meat was in
spected, 46 million pounds of which
was condemned, nearly three-fourths
being for tuberculosis.
The recent effort Of the large
packing interests to buy all dairy
cows subject to post-mortem lnspec-
ton shows how serious the plague
is becoming Sooner or later the
man who raises tuberculosis animals
must suffer the loss. unless the loss
is paid for out of public funds, and
when the loss is placed upon the pro-
ducer We may then know that the
end of the disease is in sight.
1t may at some time be necessary
for the federal government to quar-
antine against interstate shipments
of COWS from certain States where
the disease prevails to considerable"
extent. and require a strict super
vision over all animals removed from
such States for interstate shipment,
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