Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-09
SLAUGHTER Of COWS
TWenty-Three TuberCuI0us
B0vineS Killed at Abattoir.
TESTED BY HEALTH OFFICE
Proof of Milk Infection Sought by
DR.. Woodward.
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HELP
TESTED BY HEALTH OFFICE
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HELL
Twenty-Five Animals Destroyed
by Bureau of Animal Industry.


six cows were killed by a government
| employe at the abattoir at Benning at
| l o'clock this afternoon. Several local
dairymen were present at the slausa-
ter. to see for themselves whether the
| test is accurate or not
The herd belongs to q dairyman in the
District of Columbia. Every one of the
| slaughtered cows was found to be suf-
| one day to find it out after the in
spectors Of the health department. made
| "tuberculin tests or took a look at the
cattle.
1t is only d beginning Of the crusade
against tubcrculous cows. ]. G. Haley.
health department official in charge of
this special branch of the food inspec-
ton service, is going after the dairy
culosis germ that turks in milk which
people of Washington drink.
Federal authorities. inspectors Of the
bureau of animal industry, are co-operat-
ing with DIR. Woodward in driving tho
germ out of existence far bovine
tuberculosis is concerned. The men from
the bureau are working on the herds
outside of the District.
When they apply the test and find a
reaction, indicating q diseased animal,
they notify the health department, which
Immediately takes steps to see that none
of that animals milk gets into Washing
ton. All the federal authorities can do
is to see that the cow is not shipped from
one state to another.
Test of Milk Sought.
Dr. Woodward. health officer of the Dis
trict. is working out a test by which mi. X
itself can he proved to contain or be
free from tuberculosis germs SO that the
milk supply of Washington can be eff
fectirely inspected irrespective of whether
farmers allow inspection of their herds.
District regulations, which permit an
active crusade against tuberculou cows,
were published on page IL of The Star
of November 20.
The regulations sounded the death war
rant of tuberculous cattle in this clause:
"All cattle deemed to be tuberculous
already within the District of Columbia.
either as the result of physical examina-
ton or tuherculin test, shall be
slaughtered within a time and at a place
des gnated by the chief of the blu eau of
| animal industry or the health officer of
the District of Columbia.
:! After slaughte.i ing. there is "A post
norton examination. TIE authorities see
to 1t that the carcasses are properly
| Thus the health department mere is try
ing to suppress tuberculosis within its
own jur sdiction. When that Is accom-
plished 1t will begin to work just as hard
to revoke permits of outside dairy farm
ers' who have tuberculous cate.
| Just at present the health Office is
working in harmony with the bureau of
! animal industry, and is taking the fed
eral word for the work accomplished out
side the District.
Farmers Agree to Tests.
The dairy farmer outside of the Dis
trict now enters an agreement with the
bureau of animal Industry when he wishes
his herd to be tested. 1t Is urely u vol
untary matter with him, although at a
future period 1t may be "a necessity un-
der the law.
He and the bureau draw up d paper
in which the bureau agrees TO send out
| an pert to test the herd and assis. In
enabling the farmer to produce and
maintain cattle free from tuberculosis.
The farmer agrees to let the govern
ment kill his infected animals.
All cows which react under the tuber-
culin test, but which show no other sign
OF the germ, are segregated by this agree
ment and'the milk must be sterlized. He
cannot send 1t to Washington, though,
under any consideration.
The tuberculin test takes about a day.
Tuberculin is broth made of dead tuber-
culosis bacilli. When it Is injected into
living animal it does not cause living
bacilli to enter the system, but if there
are any tuberculosis bacil.i already in the
animal the temperature goes up three or
four degrees and there are other evil
dences OF the presence of the dreaded
germ. Three temperatures are taken be-
fore the test and several are taken afte.
{ at regular intervals.