The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-07-02
TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE

= more prev aren't a4-AOAS N6@~-S ~--
any other domestic animals, although |
I'll are subject to attack
In Okanogan county during the last
year. several cows have died from
this disease. also many chickens and
turkeys. The extent of infection in
the county Is now known; many herds
show symptoms which are attributed
70 this disease.
Since tuberculosis is very contag-
ious. and one infected animal may
spread the disease to the entire herd,
and to all other domestic animals on
the farm. as well as TO persons usins
The milk. il Is most essential that all
such animals should be isolated orI
destroyed.
The disease is caused by a germ,
which on gaining entrance into the.
body. multiplies rapidly, and may at
tack any organ or organs. 1t works
slowly and the symptoms are not no
ticed often times until it has spread
through the entire herd, and great
deal OF damage done. Dung, milk.
blood or other body secretions from
affected organs, when eaten or inject
cd in the bodies OF other animals, will
cause them to contract this disease.
Often the most healthy and vigorous
animal may have tuberculosis for
number OF years. and the owner be en-
tirely unaware OF its condition. while
in the meantime many other animals
may sicken and die without the orig
inal source OF infection being known.
The profits and usefulness Of an af-
fected dairy herd are most seriously
reduced The symptoms OF the disease
are many and varied; for instance, a
COW with q tubercular throat will
not show the same signs OF sickness
a. a COW with tubercular lungs.
stomach, udder or joints.
The only way OF knowing whether
herd or flock is free or infected is TO
have the tuberculin test applied. This
test is harmless and very simple, al
though il requires the services OF 4
trained veterinarian in order TO be ac-
curate.
When the poison formed by the
germs of tuberculosis is injected into
the blood OF a diseased animal high
fever is resultant in from 10 to u
hours, while a normal animal Will
show no indications OF a rise OF TEN
perature.
The poison is obtained by breeding
many germs in a culture medium, then
killing them by heat and filtering out
the bodies. This serum is prepared
by specially trained psychologists.
and there is no danger Of infection or
injury as result of the test.
Under the recently enacted laws
which 60 into effect June 10th OF this
year, provisions are made so that any
group OF farmers, upon application.
may have their herds tested, and for
any animal killed proper reimburse
ment will be made; the amount vary
ing, however. with the value OF the
animal
One OF the state veterinarians will
come to Okanogan county IN July. &C
cording to recent letter from Dr..
Graves, and it is hoped that many
farmers will list their cattle Tor tests.
1t is great asset for a dairyman,
or breeder, to be able to certify that
his animals are free from tuberculo-
sis; and the man who will not have
his herd tested for fear that some OF
his best animals might be infected.
and he would have to dispose OF them.
Is like the man, who, when his wife
smelled smoke, would not 90 upstairs
II investigate for fear that the house
might really be on fire
The first group Of dairymen to take
advantage OF the provisions of the law
for free testing in Okanogan county
are the farmers in and around Win
throp. Last week one hundred ami.
thirty animals were listed for testing
This is a most splendid movement AMI
the Winthrop dairymen are to be con
graduated on being the initial men to
start the work in the county.
Any farmers interested in the III
berculin test should write to this Of
fee for application blanks; ii there
are number of herds in the commun-
ity, | will be glad TO help them work
up club, as it is desirable to test
q number OF COWS in a comparatively
small area, since it takes two days for
a test, and it would be unwise TO spend
that time testing one or two animals.
when in the same time many could be
tested.
All farmers should write to L. S.
OF Agriculture for Farm
ers Bulletin No. 473, namely: "Tu-
Lerculosis."
Signed, J. A. HUGHES.
County Agriculturist and Agent L. :
Dept OF Agriculture.
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