The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-04-18
Diagnosis and Suppression
tuberculosis in Cattle

As stated In the previous inatallment
on tuberculosis in cattle, there is no
line Of symptoms char acteristic of tub.
ercilosis, as the symptoms seen In the
living animal, 10 slao seen 10 number
Of ailments OF the bovine species other
than tuberculosis. The only positive
method Of diagnosing this disease is by
the use Of iurberculin.
Turbercuhn 10 product prepared from
cul ures Of living turbercular germs.
The germs are grown in q suita,
culture media. al suitsbl t. mpprature
thai stimulates the growth OF the germs.
When the germs have grown to a suf.
fcieDt stage they are XII ed 10y heat
aud are strained out Toe produci
given off from the killed turberculsr
bsc'll remains in the culture media, it
II tue product that is term, tubercuIin.
The use of tuberculn does no harm to
the heal by animal, yet detrc,s the
dls' ase practically without fail.
The reliabinty of the tests in the hands
of competent and experienced man is
much more accurate than any other
method of detecting tuberculosis. The
records of tests held by Goverumen,
officials ahow that with certain precau.
tions 1t is accurate in SO per cent of this
cases, haviDga margin of 2 per cent
that with stricter precautions may
further be reduced.
There is certain limitations of the
test. That is cows that have Just
calved, or ones about to cslve should
not be tested, as the test will not be
accurate, as the temperature of such
animal varies from time to time. Also
On animal in a feverish condition from
any cause will give an unreliable test
An animal just recently infected will
probably not react, as the disease hasn't
progressed sufficiently. This Is called
the period of incubation lasting from
10 days to two months.
Method of protective incubation has
only been partially successful, and un-
til they have been further perfected
they are impractical for use in the sup
preston of the disease.
Suppression of tuberculosis is q huge
task, but can he done successfully il
time and sufficient patience is used.
Should man find some reacters in his
hero they should at once be separated
from the healthy ones. Giving separate
pastures, feeding and watering places
from the well ones. The men tending
the rescting herd shouldn't 20 about
the well herd as he may carry infection
| on his hands, shoes, etc. Should calf
/ be born in the reacting herd. it should
be separated from it's motherand raised
by hand or with healthy mother. The
calf is born free of Tuberculosis. but If
lett to live with its mother, II will 8" on
contract tuberculosis. either through
inhaling the germs, or injecting them
by means of it's mothers milk. The
milk from rescting animsls may be used
If boiled. or heated to suIli lent tenn
perature long enough no kill the tuber-
cular germs, This heating. process Is
called posteurizing. Most today demand
that all milk sold within its limits must
be basturized. so as to destroy the germs.
should they be in the milk, causing
tuberculosis. thyphoid, scarlet fever and
septic sore throat etc. The well herd
should be retested every ninety days,
and all reacts put in the quarantined
herd.
A few words in regard to sanitation
should come in here. Last but not least
Sanitation" plays prominent role In
the prevention of tuberculosis Dark,
dirty, OF crowded stables favor the
development and spreadof tuberculosis
On the other hand clean, airy and well
lighted stables are unfavorsble to the
development of tuberculosis. well built
sanitary stable need not be built Of ex.
pensive material. or of elaborate design,
but should have plenty of light. air. and
good drainage. Four things il mighl
be well to keep in mind il one is think.
ing of building g stable or plenty of
light ventil ton. drainage. cleanliness.
v. W. YATES. d. V. M.
Somerville. Tenn.