Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-07
many HERDS TESTED FOR
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
State Dairy and Food Commissioners
Purcell Submits Annual
Report.
MANY FREE FROM DISEASE
Virginia Now Has Larger Percentage
of Animals Found Free From Tu-
berculOsis, as Shown by Test, Than
Any Other State in Union.

According to the annual report OF the
work done by the Dairy and Food Com
mission, under the direction OF Com
missioner Is. l.. Purcell. during the IFS
: cal year ending February -. l9iS.
for the control and eradication OF DO
vine tuberculosis in the dairy herds OF
the state 24,235 head of cattle were
tested, and only A per cent showed
tIberculin reaction. There was dur
ing the year an increase of 1.O'S head
in the number tested. while the in
crease In reactions was only i.S per
cent: which Shows that the herd own
ers," says the report. 'appreciatc not
only the ccoNom!c advantages Of dis
case free herd. but the value of the
test in its relation TO the public health.
AS 4 consequence they are giving their
cordial support and CO. operation 10 the
state and Federal authorities in the cf-
fort to maintain their herds free from
tuberculosis
Following IS n part of Commissioner
Purceli's report:
The work authorized and directed
by the General Assembly for the CON
troll and eradication of bovine tuhcr-
culos!s in the dairy herds OF the state
has been Systematically carried on by
this division in cooperation with the
United States Bureau OF Animal Indus
try
THE large increase In the number
of animals in tho state subjected to the
tuberculin test In the period twelve
months) covered by this report. over
the corresponding period Of former
years, shows continued and growing in
tercst by herd owners in the efficiency
OF the test potential agency in
the control OF the menace of a pre-
rcntabie disease. we'll as a rccoE
milton Of the economic advantages de-
r;, et,.,
free herd The careful buyer of dairy
cattle demands rs 4 prerequisite 10 his
purchase that the cattle shall haze
passed successful and recent tuhcr-
culin test. breeders, rcalizinG that tho
tested herd will nc given preference by
the buyer, will take advantage. 20 Il
greater extern; than ever before. of tho
State aid that Is offered under the pro-
visions or what Is popularity known ms
the State tuhcrculin test law providing
for partial reimbursement to owners Of
dairy cattle who have their herds tested
under State agreement
The Federal government. in CO.
operation With this department. has
commenced the work Of establishing
what Will be known as arcrcditc cd herds
free from tuberculosis. After a lin
tied period In which the herds have
been tested and found free from tubcr-
culosis and kent under the supervision
of the Federal bureau Of Animal In
dustry and this department. tho herds
and owners names will he listed in
the bureaus publications. to he mailed
TO prospective purchasers in search or
dairy animals. The fact that the herds
are under official supervision will give.
rs far as prac' icahlc. assurance ina,
purchases OF animals TO repicnish hero,
or TO start Now herds can I've made with
greater degree OF safety than has
been the case In The past
NEW REGULATIONS ARE
SAFEGUARD TO RIVERS
"a recent proclamation of the Gov
ernor OF Virginia. on recommc ndation
of the Livestock Sanitary Board. re-
curing the segregation and rctcst,nr
with tubcrculin within ninety DAYS Of
animals brought into the State and In
tended for dairy or breeding purposes.
VIII also act as a wholesome deterrent
against frauG and be very great safe
guard to tho Virginia buyers
In order TO properly project the
general public tho owners of dairy cat,
tie and the buyers of dairy cattle ,ror,
imposition ard fraud. |. Is rccommcrr
ed that statutes be enacted making I.
unlawful for any person other than
regularly licensed physician or yr,-
erinarian to make application of t,hcr-
cuiin TO cattle In r%FS St;e.e: that tho
sore oi cTtullliNpc-TcStrictcI ROM
larry licensed PHYSICIANS and veteri
narianS, and that every purchase Of
tubercu!'n and its subsequent dispos,
non be required 10 be reported TO tho
state Veterinarians with a dctai,c1
statement OF its application by tho per
son applying tic same Immediately
after tho test IS completed. The or
DorsI' ity Cor fraud that the unres.-,c.
cd purchase of tubcrculin offers win.
not frequently taken advantage of
leaves an orcning for the OWL disposed
ana this connection cannot lie con-
trollcd al long as tuhercul,n NAV he
freely obtained and applied without re-
stric;ion.
" is very great satisfaction To ne
10 De able 20 rep lat the statement COW
tanned in my last annual report thar
virginia enjoys the distinction Of hav-
ms 'arGer percentage OF animals In
the dairy herds OF The State tested wiz,
tuhercnl!n and found free from ,uber.
''culosis as revealed by tho test than any
other state in the Union"