The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-13
HEALTH BOARD IS
TO EXPEDITE WORK
VIRGINIA cows IN AS FINE CON-
DITIoN AS THOSE OF
ELSEWHERE.
LOCAL MILK SUPPLY
NEARBY DIARIES HAVE STOOD THE
TEST, AND FURNISH RICH
MOND WITH PURE
FLUID.

DR.. E. C. Levy, chief health off,
Ger, says that the board of health
is going to use every effort to eX-
pedite the work of testing for bovine
tuberculosis all the herds which sup
piy Richmond with milk. When the
work is finished every cow in every
herd will have passed the tuberculin
test which guarantees the absence of
tuberculosis in the animal.
II do not wish to predict just how
soon the work can be accomplished"
DR.. Levy said yesterday I'VE origi-
1915. but the board Is of the opinion
that II the work can be completed
before that time II will be well to do
SO. consequently We viii use every
endeavor to apply the test to all herds
as early as possible with the aid and
cooperation of the dairymen.
I'VE have labored long and pains
takingly to ensure Richmond pure
milk supply, and Il has become a
matter Of pride with us to find that
experts on milk in other States and
cities beyond the borders of Virginia
point to the Richmond milk supply as
the standard. Richmond is said by
them to have the best milk supply In
the world. We have endeavored.
with the dairymen from whom Rich
mond gets its supply of milk, TO make
II az free from contamination as pos
sible.
The stables In which the cows are
kept are built on sanitary principles,
The floors are concrete. Every stall
has a window so that each COW has
tight from q square OF four feet. There
is also a venfilator arrangement for
each stall. Special attention 3s paid
to the bedding so that the animals
are kept clean. They no longer pres
ent that appearance so common
among cows kept in ordinary cow
sheds. with accumulations on their
tanks and tails.
Utensils Sterilized.
Every utensil used in handling the
milk IL secured and sterihzed, After
milking the milk Is taken into a cool
ing house apart from where the ami
mails arc kept Everything Is done
to keep II free from contamination
and the greatest Of care is exercised
In its shipment and distribution 10
consumers
The greatest danger lies IN the
handling of milk Human contami-
nation is more to he feared than any
other and in the Richmond milk sup
DIV every precaution IS taken in this
regard Cleanliness ts the chief requi-
site and cleanliness is enforced above
all things 1t Is the greatest safe
guard against danger TO consumers
of milk
"A great deal has been said and
written about the dangers from bovine
tuberculosis, but the best authorities
declare that the chances of a human
being becoming victim OF tub-rca-
losis through milk from tuhercular
cattle is small. Indeed more than one
authority has declared that It is well
nigh impossible.
Free Milk From Taint.
haS ~ n
tcntion to free our milk supply from
any possible faint In this direction
and as speedily as possible, Under
the most favorable conditions II Ia
scarcely possible to apply the test to
more than three herds in week The
work Is usually done by an expert APP
pointed by the United States govern
ment through the bureau of animal
industry of the department of agri-
culture Usually this expert Is able
re- attend to bat one herd in week
consequently the work takes time. Al
the rate Of only one herd week It
would take year to test hfty-two
herds and there are las shippers or
dairymen who are supplying the Rich
mond market.
However. the work has been 60
ing ahead for some time and we will
try to carry II on with even greater
expedition. OF coure, all the dairy
men who lose cattle through the test
have to be reimbursed, and II does
not take long to use up the money ap-
propriated for this purpose. This In
one OF the things we have had to take
into consideration. A wealthy dairy
man can stand the loss for some time
and can recruit his herd without
waiting for the money from the State,
but less fortunate dairyman may be
placed at great disadvantage and
suffer considerable loss by having his
cows fail to pass the test.
Board Meets Tonight.
SIT should be remembered that the
slightest trace of tuberculosis Is dis
covered through this test, and that
any COW with the least possible trace
Of tuberculosis will show it. They may
be perfectly healthy in every 9th n
regard and the touch of tuberculosis
may not affect their value as mich
test they are condemned. This often
works great hardships on the dairy
men, and this fact must be &C nsid-
cred in our work Of wedding out the
herds.
statistics have shown that the best
mich cows often have touch of
tuberculosis while others who are alb
solutely free from it are poor animals
fr, n, thu. smount of butter v.ettiae
fats in t. IN they give. hNevsr
as lave s,s ter II IS the ne =! IN
% TIE beard - accomplish rs W.T.
AS SON =. D, ss'h:e and fire.. he Ret
nj. nd milk sup'.y of any possible
tttnt thai may c~Te from taheI ctlar
catiie To nate will he taken up
at the meeting % the board tonight"
The board of health will meet to-
night. at which time the proposition
may be fully discussed and action
mapped out.