Tuberculosis in Cattle.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3753, 24 January 1898, Page 2

Tuberculosis in Cattle.

THE TUBERCULIN TEST. PUBLIC TEST AT HAWERA. Pursuant to advertisement Mr C. R. Reakes, M.R.C.V.S., an officer connected with the Stock Department, commenced several tuberculin tests at Mr Flynn's yard, Glover road, on Friday evening. There was a fairly large gathering, some 60 or 70 persons being present, though the number of actual dairymen and farmers was small. This is to be wondered at, seeing that so many cattle owners have in the past complained that they had not been given proper opportunities of studying the symptoms of the disease. The hour, however, at which the test was fixed for — 7 o'clock — was an inconvenient oce for most farmers, and those from a distance were conspicuous by their absence. The animals operated upon were eight cows and two calv«s. Just prior to the testing, Mr Reakes in a few words briefly introduced himself to those present, and then went on with the tests, being assisted by Mr Orbell, stock inspector for the district, and Mr J. Lambie. The temperatures were taken, the beasts inoculated with the tuberculin, and the proceedings were quickly at an end for that evening. Next morning (Saturday) the interest in the proceedings had waned from the previous evening. At 7 o'clock when the temperatures were taken, the two stock inspectors, and Messrs James Livingston, D. Buchanan and the Star representative were all that were present, though another gentleman did come later on. There was not, however, a great deal to be learnt at this taking of temperature, the heat being, as will be seen by the attached table, to have been nearly the same throughout the cows under the teßt. Three hours later the test had reached a critical stage, and the cows showing an unusual rise of temperature indicated the presence of tubercle. Two of the eight cows under examination were found on temparatures being taken, to have the disease pretty badly, and were forthwith condemned. Two others were proved by the test to be perfectly healthy, whilst Mr Reakes considered it necessary that a further test be made. At 1 o'clock the temperatures of the remaining four were taken, with the result that another was shown to have risen in temperature so greatly as to warrant its being destroyed. There was a large number of settlers and townspeople present, and during the afternoon about 150 persons inspected the carcases. The three condemned cows were then removed to a paddock some distance away and destroyed, Mr Reakes conducting a post mortem. The condition of two of the cows was very bad, internal growth of revolting appearance being exposed. The third beast was not so bad, being far less seriously affected. The following shows the temperature of the beastß from just before innoculation until 18 hours after : — 12 hours 16 hours 18 hours

Those marked * were condemned, the test showing the others to be healthy. In the evening at the Foresters' Hall Mr Reakes delivered a lecture, report of which will appear in Star to-morrow.

Before. after. after. after. deg. Cow I—lol-3 2-102-1 3—102-1 4—1021 5—102 6—102 7—102 B—lo2 Calf I—lo3-1 2—103 deg. 101 101-1 101-1 102 103 103 102-1 103 103 102-1 deg. 103 101-3 1012 102-3 102 106 1023 106 1012 102-1 deg. 102.1 101-3 102 * 103-3* '■*• 101-3 102