Connecticut western news., 1922-06-01
CATTLE
 MUST BE ERADICATED
One Cow Infected Stock
 and Members of Family

Many local farmers have expressed themselves as having but little faith in the tuberculin test. In order to 1 help convince them, this paper pub fishes from time to time articles re- garding the test. The following from the Hartford Courant is of in 4 terest to all:
 "The importance of the movement in this state to eradicate bovine tu- berculosis and the consequent con- sumption of unhealthy milk, is re- fiected in a study of a recent situa- tion which came to light in Illinois, attracting nationwide attention. Dis covery of tuberculosis in a COW which had been tested under state and fed eral regulations led the owner, a prosperous Paris farmer, to believe that there was something wrong with the test.
 "True, the COW had reacted to the tuberculin test, but the owner was reluctant to have it killed. When he sold out his farm he gave the COW to farm hand who had seven children, the oldest Il years old. Shortly after, the-5 year old, Annabel Kelly, daugh- ter of the farm hand, became i'll, complaining of pains in the back. pr. J. w. Martin, called, noted that the spinal muscles were troublesome.
 "After a weeks observation he de- cided the case was one of tubercu- losis. So far as the parents knew, the children had never been near any one with the disease. They told the doctor, however, of the COW. pr. Martin at once notified the state au- thorities and the COW was killed. A post-mortem examination showed that the healthy looking animal that gave such rich milk was riddled with tuberculosis. The tuberculin test was applied to another COW on the farm, and to pig. They reacted and were slaughtered, together with four family cats. Post mortem examina- tions in these cases showed that the second COW, the pig and all four cats had generalized tuberculosis. They had been fed with milk obtained from "Black Lady" ... ID
 By this time the Kelly family was alarmed and thu father asked the doctor to examine the other six chill dren. The oldest daughter rarely drank milk and the boy had never been given cows milk. The five chil- dren who had\been drinking the milk had enlarged glands and the doctor pronounced them cases of glandular tuberculosis. -,
 "As result of this startling sit. uation, Robert Goben, who gave this COW to the farmer after knowing it had reacted to the tuberculine test, was prosecuted and fined $150.
 J"The incident aroused Edgar coun- ty from one end and to the other. It was pointed out that the health au- thorities had been doing all in their power to eradicate tuberculosis but had been unable to work at a max imum efficiency because of general lack of interest in the subject.
 "Mr. Goben was far from being the only man in the section who had doubts about the results of the tu- berculin test. Some were hostile to- ward the tests, others merely indif- ferent.
 "The result was that during the months after the. above incident be- came public property, 300 new herds of cattle were placed under observa- tion and 500 other applications for tests were made. People at once be- came interested in knowing the | source of their milk supply. Progress sive dairymen realized that it was to their advantage commercially to | have a federal accredited tubercu- losis free herd, and to advertise the fact.
 "In Connecticut at this time, rapid strides are being made under the direction of Commissioner on Dom estic Animals James M. Whittlesey in eradicating tuberculosis. If Com missioner Whittlesey's campaign is carried through in the next few years, the time is not far distant when the state will be absolutely free from bovine tuberculosis, and all it's consequent worries. All cows now entering the state must be examined, while, at the same time, examination of native herds is progressing rapidly
 Herd owners have come to real ize, Commissioner Whittlesey says, that the test is for their benefit The tuberculin test for COWS is absolutely positive. Reaction to the test is absolute testimony that the COW is menace to public health and should be slaughtered. The farmer who a menace to public health and should loses stock under these tests receives compensation from the state and fed