The Washington herald., 1912-01-24

ands of dollars through the preservation
OF herds.
~At present herds are tested by the
District health department, and all
tubercular cows are ordered killed. II
the milk from these herds were pasteur-
lied, the cattle could safely be permitted
to live, because Of the fact that pasteuri-
zation will kill germs in milk from the
most dangerous tubercular COW. Pasteur-
iZatlon probably will cause a slight in
crease in price, but this VIII not AFFECT
the producer"
Works No Hardship.
John Thomas. Of Ednor. Md. president
Of the Mix Producers Association, re-
fused last night to discuss the proposed
bill until he Is fully acquainted with It
in all Of its various phases. Mr.. jackson
said last night that the producers. as a
whole, Will undoubtedly favor the bill,
as It works no hardship upon them. A
special meeting of the executive commit
tee of the association will probably be
held within several weeks to consider the
proposition.
The resolution adopted by the Associa-
tion for the Prevention OF tuberculosis
at its meeting Monday night urges Con-
gress to enact a law requiring the pas
all milk and cream sold in the District,
unless such milk and cream are obtained
from dairy herds in which all the ami
mails have been proven TO be free from
tuberculosis by both physical examina-
ton and the use OF the tuberculin test
Provision is made, however. that all
herds of dairy cattle. the milk and cream
Of which are sold only after having been
properly pasteuriZed, shall be legally ex-
sIa ~ ka FftkarrTB1fn
test, provided that such herds are kept
In accordance with the sanitary require
ments OF the District health department;
that no cows showing clinical symptoms
Of tuberculosis shall be retained in the
herds, and that the milk and cream OF
no COW showing clinical symptoms OF
any communicable disease shall be sold
as human food in any form.
Bovine BacIIII Menace.
1t is pointed out by the Association for
the Prevention OF tuberculosis that the
presence of bovine tubercle bacilli in
dairy products is a serious cause Of hu-
man tuberculosis, especially among chill
dren. The resolution states that pas
teuriZation protects the public not only
from tubercle bacilli. but from other dis
ease germs, such as those of typhoid
fever. diphtheris, scarlet fever, and sore
throat.
The pasteurIzation proposition is not
only one OF public health, but of econ
omy and conservation. Thousands OF
cattle are being slaughtered because OF
tubercuIar infection. Pasteurization will
safely permit the use OF those COWS
without endangering the health Of the
consumer. At present Il is estimated
that there are 100000 dairy animals in
the United States. 1t Is estimated that
between Is and % per cent Of these ami
mails are tubercular. II pasteuriZatIon
of the milk Of these animals is not re-
sorted 10, then II is the duty of the
public health service OF the country in
the interest OF the masses to kill these
animals. These cattle represent a value
OF approximately $4,000 100, so that to
slaughter them would mean a great loss
both numerically and financially.
Immunity from Disease.
The pasteurization Of milk will undoubt-
edly raise the price OF the product. but
the consumer will not lose. for what he