Tuberculosis and Milk

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 230, 14 September 1935, Page 6

Tuberculosis and Milk

(To the Editor.) Sir, —If your correspondent “John Bull” would take the trouble to enquire in the right quarter he would find that parts of a carcase affected with lymphadenitis, or other diseases, are removed before the rest is passed as fit for food. The British authorities will not accept any carcase that has any lymph gland missing and as lymphadenitis necessitates removal of the affected gland the carcase has then to be dealt with on its merits. After reading “John Bull’s” latest remarks on tuberculin and tuberculin testing I feel that the public will be able to judge for themselves as to whether his remarks are worth any real consideration. If a cattle beast has T.B. at all, the tuberculin test will reveal that fact. In far advanced cases there are sometimes outward signs of the disease, but if an animal reacts on testing there is no indication as to how far advanced the disease is. Nevertheless the knowledge that the animal is affected at all is valuable, as it is indicated as a carrier and potential spreader of the disease. If we are desirous of ridding the country of T.B. in animals (thereby helping to check it in human beings) the job has to be done thoroughly. It will cost a lot of money’ both to individuals and the Government but the longer it is delayed the more expensive it becomes. In. conclusion, Sir, I would say that the ordinary layman should give the veterinary officer constantly engaged in field work credit for knowing what he is about. Prevention is better than cure.—Yours, etc., T.T. Sept. 13, 1935.