Milford chronicle., 1935-04-19

the germs remain in the infected
cattle and are a source of infection
to other animals. II any treat
ment, either in the nature Of drugs
or vaccines, we're given, while the
outbreak was at its height, that par
ticular treatment would probably be
given the credit for the decrease in
the number OF abOrtiOns the next
year; however, If no treatment had
been used, the results would prob
ably have been the same. This Pc
culiarity of the disease accounts for
the large number Of cures that are
on the market with respect to Bangs
disease; however, as none of the
products now on the market have
been proven to be of any value in
the treatment of the disease, live
stock sanitary officials, throughout
the country, advise against their use.
In the opinion of livestock officials
in charge of Bangs disease work
throughout the country, the only
satisfactory method of eradicating
bangs disease is the testing of the
cattle and the elimination of Teac-
tors. This method will eradicate the
infection from a herd in the shortest
time. there will be a smaller total
number Of positive reacting cattle;
and, in most cases, it is the cheap
est in the long run. All of the ami
mails over six months of age should
be tested. to determine the extent of
the infection and all positive animals
should be slaughtered. II many ami
mails react positively on the first
test, and the existing infection ap-
pears to be active and on the in
crease, subsequent tests on the herd
should be applied. at not more than
sixty-day intervals until the herd
has been cleaned of all infection. BY
doing this. all animals that had ac-
quired the infection recently but did
not react at the previous tests would
be detected and could be removed
before abortion occurred, and thus
lessen the possibility Of further
spread of the disease. After the re-
mOval of all positively reacting ami
mails. and the herd is free from in
feetiOn, as shown by negative test,
the interval between the tests can
be heightened to from three to six
In herds in which the per-
centage of positively reacting ami
mails is small and the disease is
quiescent, the problem is much
simpler.
With the test and elimination of
reactors procedure as praeticed in
Delaware. it is highly important that
sanitary measures be
in conjunction Herewith.
After the disposal Of reactors on the
Initial and all subsequent tests. the
stable, maternity stalls, barn yard,
and all surroundings should be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Only cattle from herds known to be
free from Bangs disease. and certi-
fed as negative to Bangs disease
by the proper livestock officials
should be added to the herd.
RecOgnizing the Importance of
Bangs disease eradication to the
cattle owners Of the State. because
IF the severe economic losses they
sustain due to the abortion of calves,
,terility. retained placenta. and the
decrease in the milk production, in
1881. the Delaware State Board of
Agriculture inaugurated the Della
ware Plan for the Prevention. Con-
rol, and Eradication of Bangs Dis
Ease. For some years previous to
hat time. DR.. G. c. Palmer. head of
he Department of Animal Industry
Il the University Of Delaware. had
conducted extensive studies on
lumber Of herds in the State. and
lad demonstrated to the owners that
he disease could be eradicated from
heir herds by testing and the re-
novdl Of reacting animals. When
he State Board of Agriculture first
naugurated their plan. no funds was
Ivailable for this work, and only
ew herds could be taken under SUI
IeryisiOn. In 1888. the Legislature
provided that the State Board of
Agriculture could use enough money
rom the Tuberculosis Eradication
to conduct the testing
md supervision Of herds which the
'wners requested placed under State
upervisiOn for the eradication of
his disease. AS no indemnity on re-
citing animals was available at that
ime. 1t was necessary for the own
rs either to maintain two separate
Ierds until they could afford to dis
lose Of their reactOFs, or to have the
eaetOrs slaughtered Immediately,
Without compensation. other than
he proceeds from the butcher. Even
o, a number of herds were placed
Inder supervision, and the work
progressed satisfactorily. In July, /
934, the Federal Bureau of Animal
through the Agricultural !
Administration, prOvid-
d a fund whereby. when herds Of
attic were placed under State-Fed- |
raj supervision for the eradication |
( Bangs disease. the owners were |
aid a Federal indemnity Of not more |
han $4,000 on any grade animal and /
Ot mere than $4,000 on any pure |
red animal. in addition to the pro-
eeds paid direct to the owner from /
he slaughter of the reactors. The
delaware State Board of Agriculture
put this plan into effect /
! Delaware, providing for the col
scting Of the blood samples, the
ssting OF the samples, the super
ision of the herds, including the
isposal Of reactors. and advice and
Of State employed vet
riuaFian, without any expense to
le cattle owners. AS the payment
{ the Federal indemnity on reac-
,rs meant that cattle owners could
ave fhair raanfnrs slanghtered l