The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-17

Ii is hard to find any better food than
 good milk, yet if the milk used in the daily diet is not good it is constant source of danger. If the milk is pro-
 duced by cows that have tuberculosis
 and there are thousands of them in this country-and is not pasteurized, the
 germs of the dreaded disease may be transmitted to humans. This is the reason consumers as well al producers of milk should be deeply interested in and give their support to what the United States department of agriculture is doing tie. stamp out 'u0erooioS's In oairy cat The plan is to certify officially all herds the owners of which have complied with specified requirements which show beyond doubt that the animals free from tuberculosis. In December, 1917, the plan was adopted jointly by the live stock sanitary officials of all the states Tn the United States and by the federal department. It consists of giving the tu- berculin test to every animal in the herd at least twice year. at the end of which
 time, if all the animals are found free f1ori the disease. the herd is accredited tuberculosis free.
 PLAN GAINS WIDE INTEREST The idea and advantages of accredited herds of cattle found to be free from tuberculosis gained wide publicity and popularity among cattle breeders from the start They appreciate the fact that certificate of approval ndorsed by the state in which the herd belongs and found indorsed by the government, gives prospective purchasers vonfidence that tEey are in consequence willing to pay a they are inconsequence willing to pay a considerable advance in price for such animals.
 During the first year after the plan had been in operation, 296 herds comprising 92S4 cattle were fully accredited as free from tuberculosis, and 1462 herds having 35,053 cattle passed one successful test in preparation for certifcation. In addi. ton. 4622 herds, both pure bred and grades, totaling 9S,002 animals, were under supervision for the eradication of tuber- culosis. Each month a large number ot additional herds are taken under su- pervision.
 Tuberculosis eradication work. is now be- ing carried on in more than 40 states in cooperation with the state live stock san itary officials and stock owners. Joint agreements between the state and the federal department of agriculture gov erning the applic cation for the tuberculin test, and the handling of the herd, are forwarded to each owner interested In having his herd freed of the disease, ot in having it accepted as officially ac credited
 It has been found by very careful ex- periments and practical work that tuber- culosis cannot be detected to any great extent among animals by a physical eX- animation. Herds which seem apparently healthy may be extensively affected with tuberculosis The most reliable method for definitely determining whether tuber- culosis exists is the tuberculin test ap- piled by trained operator. Tuberculin, while it is the most accurate diagnostlc agency known to science, is safe only in the hands of a trained and sl1illful oper- ator who is acquainted with it's limita tions and with the symptoms it produces in the animals to which it is applied. It is proposed to carry on the accredited held plan until practically all pure bred herds of cattle in the United States are under state and federal supervision for the eradication of tuberculosis Thus, it will be possible for an owner in one state to purchase cattle in another state with the assurance that he will receive anima Is that may be introduced into his herd with