The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-11-27


ment of Agriculture.>
With live stock and their products
on a higher plane of values than in
previous years there has come to
stockmen and farmers a keener reali-
cation of the need to stamp out animal
diseases. This important development
in livestock raising was shown repeat
eddy at the conference of state and
federal sanitary officials who assem-
bled in Chicago to discuss tubercu-
losis eradication.
Whereas in the past the unwilling
ness of cattle owners to have their
herds tested in order to locate the
disease has been limiting factor in
the work, now there are waiting lists.
and the problem confronting state and
federal officials is to meet the de-
mands. Coupled with that problem
is the need for improved methods of
testing and a more uniform system OF
certifying to the health of animals so
that stock may be shipped interstate
with a minimum Of inconvenience and
delay.
First Conference Of Its Kind.
The conference, called by the fed
eral bureau of animal industry to dis
cuss these problems. was the first of
its kind, and 1853 delegates from va
rious parts Of the country were in at
tendance. In opening the meeting DR..
John r. Mohler, chief of the bureau,
emphasized the Importance Of conduct
ing disease eradication in a manner
that is practicable and workable as
well as being scientifically correct.
Likewise he announced the desire IF
the federal government to receive in
formation from all sources to supple
menu the work Of United States de-
partment of agriculture investigators.
A problem of considerable importance
is the tuberculin testing Of cattle at
public stockyards. Such testing Is
aimed to check traffic in diseased an
finals and to protect communities
which have little bovine tuberculosis
from Infection by cattle that are dis
eased or of doubtful health. This con-
dition applies especially to dairy stock
and to breeding cattle, but in prevent
ing interstate movement of tubercl
lous animals. livestock sanitary Of
ficials recognize the need for doing
the work in the most expeditions man
ner.
Discuss Merits Of Tests.
In addition to the simultaneous test,
which has been the most widely used
f,, dot tnh IN,
two other tests-the intradermal and
Ophthalmic-received close study and
discussion. The intradermal test, in
the experience Of many of the dele
gates, is especially useful in testing
range cattle and those which are un-
accustomed to handling. 1t has a
field of usefulness, likewise, in very
hot or cold weather when the atmos-
pheric temperature makes difficult an
accurate diagnosis with the subcu-
taneous test, which depends on Sc
ries of animal-temperature readings.
The ophthalmic, or eye test, is an
other means of diagnosing tubercu-
losis. This test is applied to one eye,
the other being left untreated for COM
parison, and a characteristic appear
ance indicates whether the disease is
present. The eye test thus far has
been used chiefly either in combina-
ton with the other tests or as means
of obtaining further evidence on sus-
picious cases. The discussion indicat-
ed the usefulness of all three tests in
detecting tuberculosis in live stock,
and when used in combination the
tests appear to be an almost unfailing
means of diagnosing the disease. AS
q supplement to the conference, ex-
perimen al testing by the three meth
DDS was conducted at the Union stock
yards.
Accredited Herd Plan Endorsed.
Delegates from all parts of the coun-
try reported keen interest I'm their To-
calities in the so-called accredited
herd plan, under which the federal
state authorities grant certificate to
owners of herds found to be free from
tuberculosis and which are maintain
ed in a prescribed manner. The prin-
ciple of the plan was warmly indorsed
as constructive means or tuDercu-
losis eradication, and the conference
favored its continuance along present
lines or with additional requirements
that will increase its effectiveness. A
topic receiving special emphasis was
the need for painstaking and thorough
disinfection of premises where disease
has been found, followed by continu-
Gus attention TO sanitation of build
ings and surroundings.
tuberculosis In Swine.
Eradicating tuberculosis from cat
tie will practically solve the problem
of controlling the disease among
swine. That was the opinion Of vet
Urinary experts experienced in the
handling and postmortem examination