The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-23
TICK ERADICATION BROUGHT HOME ID JEFFERSON COUNTY Voters Must Decide Cues tiOn at the Polls on
 May 9 VITAL TO GROWTH OF
 CATTLE INDUSTRY Citizens Comment on Importance of Every Voter Expressing Him.
 self on Issue of Great
 Moment
By CLARENCE G. THOMSON

Along with the democratic primary election Tuesday, May g, the question of tick eradication in Jefferson county will be presented to the voters There will be two ballot boxes at each vot- ing division, one for the primary elec- tion vote and the other for the tick eradication.
 Interest in the election for the tick eradication in Jefferson county is grow ing as the voting day approaches. There lis no more live topic being discussed in local politica1S circles than the rid- dance of the tick in Jefferson county. There seems to be but little doubt but that the movement to lift the quarran- tine from the cattle raised in this county will pass when it is put to a vote on May g.
 There are 1S.017 qualified voters In Jefferson county, according to the off cial list prepared and published, by the probate office this week, and there is but little doubt that an overwhelming g majority of those votes will be cast in the extra ballot box for the eradication of the tick.
 There is no greater question before the people today in the opinion of some of the best authorities on hygiene and health conditions. This opinion, is not wholly local, but by study of some of the writings and books of the best known authorities the subject is dis cussed fully and ticks are agreed to be injurious to the health of cattle, human being and to commerce.
 Since cattle raising is becoming a great industry in the south, more care must be taken of the health and de- velopment of the breeds As long as cattle are infested with the tick, they cannot develop to even a normal size, and the meats of such infested cattle is wholly unfit for human consumption.
 Statistics show large per cent of the cattle condemned by meat inspec- tors and health officers is due to hay ing been infested by the tick ana the disease transmitted in this way. When the animal is infested by the tick and the disease transmitted in this way When the animal is infested by the tick a fever known as the Rocky mountain tick fever sets up, and cause the ami mai to weaken, grow poor and stupid.
 DANGER TO CHILDREN
 
 the loss of cattle and live stock is the dangersof feeding tick infested milk to children. Milk is one of our great est requisites, but, according to health experts. there is no greater transmitter of germs than milk. The little cells or corpuscles can easily carry many germs, and great care should be exer- cised in preparing this substance for food.
 There is only one thing left for Ala bama to do. according to authorities of conditions in this state, and that is to fall in line with the other states that are getting rid of the tick. Jefferson county will have the opportunity to vote the measure in that will eliminate the little disease spreader among the lower animals. It is the duty of every voter to go to the polls and cast his ballot for the tick eradcation-it is not sonly his duty to himself, but to his family and neighbors.
 There are now in this county some thing over 50 dipping vats. There has never been a petition turned down by the board of revenue for a dipping vat. The county is pretty, we'll covered at the present time, according to Hugh McGeever of the board, and the only thing that remains to impede the lift ing of the quarantine in the enforce ment of the dipping of cattle. This would be done if the measure is passed, and Jefferson county cattle could be shipped to any county or state.
 DOUGLAS CITES EXAMPLE A few expressions from men who are in a position to know are given to show the interest being manifested in Birmingham:
 q think it would be the greatest dis grace Jefferson county ever experienced If the measure does not go through. said Alvin M Douglas. "A few weeks ago I bought fine COW, and wanted ito send her to my home in Walker county, but on account of the .quaran- tine could not take her out of Jeffer- son county into county where the quarantine had been lifted.
 'I am informed by persons of author ity in Walker county that cattle are worth from $5 to $15 more on the head than in Jefferson county. or that they were in Walker county before the tick eradication became effective. It is not only an impeachment to the health. but also of the commerce of the county to be under quarantine"
 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS "Think of the loss in a commercial line,' said pr. H. N. Rosser. health of ficer of Jefferson county. If by the passage of the measure the value of our cattle would enhance from $5 to