Connecticut western news., 1920-12-02
Tuberculosis in Cattle and Hogs

~~@N~~
 Farmers throughout the state were
 considerably interested last spring
 in the wholesale slaughter of dairy
 cows in the vicinity of Hartford
 Owners of the~co and their neigh
 bors were more than interested
 they were not only enraged against
 the Commissioner of Domestic Ami
 malls, but against all officials of that
 department and threatened to bring
 suit for damages, etc. Other dairy
 men about the state had more or less
 to say regarding the matter, the ma
 jor part of which was in condemna-
 tion of the Commissioner.
 We wonder how many of those
 who condemned the Commissioner for killing these cattle really know what tuberculosis in COW or hog is?3s We believe the number is quite small, otherwise the criticism would have been far less. Aside from the actual appearance and effect of the plague, the consequences resulting from the use of milk or meat from an infected animal are of vital inn portance, inasmueh as this disease may be communicated to humans and animals alike from their use. Is it any wonder then that the commis- aioiier ordered the wholesale slaugh- ter of these animals? ~4 ~t
 During the past few weeks the editor has had some experiences with tuberculosis in both COW and a hog. The, former animal he purchased in Massachusetts. This COW was as sleek and nice to behold as any cow he. had ever seen and that she had tuberculosis was simply out of the question. However, before being permitted to bring her into the state she was tested and the test resulted in unusually strong indications that. she had tuberculosis. Actual exam nations of the organs has not yet been made, but we do not doubt in the least that they will show infection,
 The second experience was with 8 hog weighing perhaps 200 pounds. The person owning this hog con suited the editor regarding it's health and he informed them to get in touch with the local veterinarian, who after examination ordered the hog killed. We wish every farmer and every other person Who raises cows or pigs could see the organs of this animal! To use a plain express sion, it was simply rotten with ru-I berculoss! The Emphatic glands were full of pus and every body gland was effected. The lungs felt1 like bag of buckshot and the liver was a mass of yellowish spots rang in. in size from a small speck to as large as quarter, while even the in testines were infected It was cer- tainly no wonder the hog was sick.
 Being interested, we inquired of Dr. Thornton as to how the animal contracted the disease. He replied that it was undoubtedly one or both | of. two causes. Either the pig was fed milk from a tuberculous COW or had rooted in the offal of an infected cow. If the cause is not removed | where will just this one trail of in lection end and what would be the result if a half dozen similar cases existed in every community in the state? g, It s just as easy for humans to contract the disease through the use of milk or flesh of tuberculous ami nal. Consider then that the major ity of children drink the milk just as it is delivered, the tiny bodies being unable to reject the germ any more than older ones, there suddenly develops case of tuberculosis in | family where none was ever before | known. | Knowing these facts and once seeing the infected organs of an ani- nal, we believe every farmer would | use more care in the selection of | cattle and having those of doubtful health tested. .~,.,,