The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-02
ACTION TOO HASTY
First Quarantine Orders Should
Not Have Been Issued.
State Livestock Commissioners
Final Report on Wichita.

That the veterinarians who made
the first exami- atoms OF the disease
thought to be the foot and mouth dis
ease at Wichita Union Stock yards
reached their conclusions too hastily
and that there is not the slightest
cause for fear of an outbreak Of the
foot and mouth disease in Kansas. is
the gfst of statement made today by
TAYLOR Riddle state livestock commits
sioner, following the order made
Tuesday to raise the quarantine
placed on the Wichita yards several
days ago.
The statement which clears all sus-
picion that the foot and mouth dis
ease existed at Wichita follows:
There are four other diseases
which resemble foot and mouth dis
ease on microscopic diagnosis and.
unless the veterinary is man OF
great care and experience, a grave err
ror might easily be made. If any
doubt existed upon the microscopic
examination in discriminating be-
tween the similar diseases, before any
such drastic action, as was in this
case, should be taken, exhaustive
tests. the nature of which are known
to experienced veterinarians, should
be resorted to and consulting experts
called.
Was Too Hasty.
s'This important measure was omit
ted and the government veterinarian
who made the first examination
reached his conclusions too hastily.
Had the precautionary measures.
mentioned above. been taken and the
state authorities notified of the sus-
picion that the foot and mouth dis
ease existed in these stock yards and
their experts, or others of like stand
ing, had been called into consulta-
ton, different conclusions would have
been reached and no quarantine OF
any kind would have been levied.
which resulted in the financial loss
and general disaster that frequently
follows hasty conclusions in matters
SO grave as this.
This statement Is not made with
a view of criticizing any one or any
department 1T is only setting out the
! facts as we found them and is largely
| given here for thu reason that like
| errors may not be- hereafter commit
ted.
THE similar diseases to which l re-
ferred are .ras follows: Vesiculal
! Stomatftis. Cropucus Stomatitis, Ny
cotic Stomatitis. Smallpox BOWS and
| PESTS BOWS. These professional
names and details ,.re entered into fol-
| the purpose of reaching the public
with this important conclusion: Thai
the Wichita Union Stock yards are
! not infected with the foot and mouth
disease, that they are as clean and
as healthy and safe to ship live stock
/ to as they ever have been in the past
| No Danger at All.
! I'VE want to clear the minds of the
! public, who so frequently do business
, in the live stock exchange department
| that nothing of a suspicious or danger
Gus nature is present at the yards mol
has been in the past.
This statement is made after re
ceiving the reports of two state ex
perts employed in this department, DR.
F. s. Schoenleber. state veterinar!
surgeon and specialist
1T is always n good policy when deal
ing with disease SO fatal and on
fraught with SO much danger to ou
greatest interests in Kansas, live stock
to proceed cautiously, but this advice
should work both ways and due caution
should have been exercised before sucl
harmful information was given out
After an investigation lasting eigh
days at the Wichita yards the follow
ing order. in part. was issued Tuesda!
by DR.. Riddle:
after eight days of thorough in
vestigation by federal and state ex
perts. the verdict is unanimous that thu
disease known as foot and mouth dis
ease does not exist in these yards ant
that being true, no further damag
should be inflicted on live stock inter
ests of the state by further delay o
| authorities in charge Therefore, de
clare the Wichita Union stock yard
and all allied interests free from re
straipt Of quarantine and same ar
given a clean bill Of health by this de
partment TAYLOR RIDDLE.
Live Stock Sanitary Commissions
of Kansas