Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-01-14

Prevent the Escape OF TIC SaS'
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture)
Inspectors In the United States de-
partment of agriculture have found
In the course of their work that ig-
norance or carelessness on the part
of stock owners has frequently led TO
fresh outbreaks of infectious disease
after It had been supposed that the
previous ones had been completely
stamped out. Comparatively few farm
ers, it is said realize the Importance
of the scientific disinfection of prem
tses which have once harbored in
fected stock.
When it is remembered that the
germ which causes tuberculosis In cat
tie measures about one-thousandth OF
an inch in length, 1t is obvious that
the "lick-andpromise" method of
cleaning is no obstacle at all to the
existence Of the disease. The germ
of CHAMBERS is little larger. These two
germs are thrown off by diseased ami
mails In large quantities. In the aver
age stable they have no difficulty IN
finding many lodging places whence
any one of hundred different things
may cause them to emerge and start
a fresh outbreak upon the farm. When
a stable has once harbored diseased
animals, therefore. absolute disintec.
ton with sufficiently powerful disln-
fectants is the only way to insure the
stock from another visitation.
In Farmers Bulletin $50, Practical
Methods of Disinfecting Stables
some of the most easily obtainable
disinfectants are named, and the best
methods of applying them discussed.
In the first place 1t is imperative that
the stable be thoroughly cleaned be-
fore any disinfectant at all is applied.
The various surfaces such as ceilings,
walls, partitions, floors, etc, should
be swept free from cobwebs and dust.
Where the filth has been allowed to
accumulate, this should be removed
by thorough scrubbing. If the woou,
work has become soft and porous so
that 1t affords good refuge for the
disease germ, it should be torn down
and burned and new wood substituted.
All refuse of every description should
be removed to a place inaccessible to
live stock and there either burned or
treated with solution of chloride OF
lime in the proportion OF six ounces
to one gallon of water. If the floor
of the stable is of earth, the surface
soil should be removed to depth
of four inches OF more and new earth
substituted 1t Is better, however, to
take advantage of this opportunity to
lay down concrete floor, which IN
the end will be found more satisfac-
tory as well as more sanitary.
The stable thus thoroughly cleansed
and stripped of all its odds and ends
and refuse is now ready for the APP
plication of the disinfectant. A dis
infectant is drug which has the pow
er Of destroying germs merely by COM
ing in contact with them. There are
a number of these drugs, varying con-
siderably in efficacy and some of them
dangerous to animal as we'll as germ
life. Bichloride of mercury is one OF
the most powerful, but 1t has the
great disadvantage of being violent
poison and in consequence great care
must be used when handling it to
keep it away from all live stock. For
ordinary purposes 1t is probable that
cresol or the compound solution or
cresol, known as liquor cresolis COM
positus, is best adapted to general
use. When the latter is used, 1t should
be mixed with water in the proper
ton of four or five ounces to gal.
lon. Cresol Is not as soluble as the
compound solution and should, there
fore, be thoroughly stirred while mix
ing. If grade of the drug guaran-
teed to be 95 per cent pure is secured,
two or three ounces to a gallon of wa
ter will be sufficient.
To apply the disinfectant on any
thing but a very limited surface, a
strong spray pump is essential. The
pump should be equipped with Is feet
of hose with five-foot section of iron
pipe, with spraying nozzle at one
end, attached to it. The entire in
terror of the stable should be saturat-
led with the solution forced through
this apparatus. Special attention
should be given to feeding troughs
and drains, as 1t is in these that the
disease germs are most likely to find
their first resting places. After a
thorough spraying with the disin.
fectant, 1t is we'll to apply lime
wash containing four or five ounces
OF chloride of lime to each gallon
In many cases, however, it will save
trouble If this wash Is combined with
the disinfectant. This can be done In
the following manner: for five gal
Ions OF disinfecting fluid, slake ~
pounds of lime using hot water If nee
essary to start action. Mix to
creamy consistency with water Stir
in Is fluid ounces of cresol at least
95 per cent pure, and make up to five
gallons by adding water In case com
pound solution of cresol Is used, add
80 fluid ounces instead of Is. Stir
the whole mixture thoroughly and,
II 1t is to be applied through a spray
nozzle, strain through a wire sieve.
Stir frequently when applying and
keep covered when not in use.
Market for Farm Horses.
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