The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-03-02
tuberculosis In Cattle

Dark, dirty, crowded stables are favor
able to tuberculosis. Under these con-
ditions the disease spreads rapidly and
Is only kept out with difficulty.
Clean, airy, we'll lighted stables on the
other hand are unfavorable to the de-
velopment of the disease. If brought in
to such a stable it does not spread SO
rapidly and is not SO difficult to get rid
of as in the first case.
A well built sanitary stable need not
be made of expensive material or Of Ella
borate design, but should have plenty of
light, air and drainage.
Light is very important. Direct sun
light IS a great destroyer of germ life.
Tu5ercle bacilli soon die If exposed to
sunlight. 1t Is disinfectant always
ready to work without cost. Sunlight is
also necessary to the health of animals.
Man deprived of 1t 1or any length of time
as prisoners in jail, become pale and lose
the, appearance of health. Cattle that
are constantly confined in dark stables
become lowered in vitality and are ready
to catch any disease with which they
come III contact. for LneSe reasons the
cow stables should have p.enty of win
dows on two or more sides If possible SO
that the sunlight can reach every part
OF the interior some part OF the day.
Pure air IS also very important. In
badly ventilated stables, the air is
breathed over and over again, until 1t
becomes more or less poisonous AMI
mails kept in such conditions become
gradually reduced in vitality. This
change may not be noticeable to the
observer, but becomes apparent IL the
animal is exposed to disease. 1t readily
contracts disease y d does not recover
from it readily.
stables should therefore have plenty
of air space for each animal. This re-
quires tn. ceiling to be high, the stalls
roomy ana the passages wide. In addi-
ton to this ample air space must be pro-
yded. This Is done by suitable openings
in the walls and roof and comprises the
system of ventilation
Ventilation to be Successful must pro-
vide Tor two things, first, the removal of
the foul air from the inside, and, secona,
the bringing in of tresn air from outside
the building. No system is good that
fails 10 accomplish these objects without
causing unnecessary draughts. The usual
way IS 10 BRING in fresh air through open
windows, and in cold weather through
venlIatlng snai.s, which may be con-
cealed in the walls or beneath the floor.
The foul air is removed by open windows
and by ventilating shafts from the ceiling
" the ioOl NHelC liz. are usually plo-
ter.ed ~ mood. Nnen both inets and
outlets are proportioned to the 81 &c of
the building, there should be a constant
clrcu latlon OF air, and no sensation OF
closenecs SHOULD be per.eptble in the
stable.
Drainage removes the liquid refuse
from the stable by suitable cutters and
drains. 1t cannot do this unless thu
floor Is water tight, and concrete floor
md ah ri
lean.ng tnrougn cracks In the floor I'M
til the soil beneath is saturated is a fire.
quent source of foul doors and unhealthy
stables.
Since the manure Of tuberculous cattle
often contain living tubercle germs in
vas. numD ars, the importance of keeping
1t well cleaned out of the stable is read
lily seen. such manure is not only dan
geTous to other cattle in the stable, but
may De the means of conveying the dis
ease to children. Often cows are seen
with their TANKS encrusted with dry
dung. Parts often break off while the
COW is MIXED and some of it is likely to
fall into the milk pail. The larger Jumps
are s.ra.ned out ou the smaller particles
re.Gain, and also the tuDercle germs,
WIN IN are small Ell Ough to pass through
any s,rainer. These stay in the mink
and make it fruitful cause of the dis
ease in the young. Stables should be
cleaned out often and the manure put
where il cannot De picked over by hogs
or cate These animals are easily in
fected in that way.
Cleanliness also includes keeping the
walls and ceilings tree from dirt, dust
and cobwebs These are all good resting
places for disease germs. Whitewashing
the interior of the sable at least twice
year is a great aid to cleanliness, and
also has a distinct effect in destroying
disease germs. In many municipalities