The Star. UNKNOWN.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9480, 30 November 1907, Page 4

The Star.

UNKNOWN.

Delivored every evening Dy 6 o'otock in Hawern AiUnaia, Normsnby, Okaluwft,, filiharo, Manga tobi, Haponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeno, Manucmii,' Alton, Hurley vilie, Patea. and Waverles.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1907.

In bis annual report, the chief of tike Yeteorinari&n. division ot the Agricultural Department (Mr Silrulh) directs the attention, of dairy fanners and stock ownars to the prevalence and cause of tuberculosis in cattle. He says that although the Stock Act cam«± into fore© several years, ago there is nothing to show that tuberculosis is not now as prevalent amongst herds in rhe Dominion as it was ten year* ago. The repressive measures taken by the Department .have had the effect of .getting rid of many diseased animals, which would otherwise have continued active agents of infection. But the system followed lacks finality, as at the most it can only be effective in, preventing bovine tuberculosis be coming mere widely disseminated than at present. During last year, out of 158,003 cattle examined at slaughtering places, 2631 were wholly condemned, 3023 partially condemned, and 2774 were found affected and passed, making the total number affected S42S, or a percentage of 5.34. Of -the swine examined 5.89 per cent- weirs affected. The evidence available, says Mr Gilruth, goes clearly to prove that cne of the most potent factors in the spread and perpetuation of tubercular disease is infected cow's milk. He asserts that proof of this is found by the extensive amount of tubercular infection present among swine fed upon the By-products of dairy factories. By far the greater number of the affected MU'mals ere purchased, it is stated, in dairying districts. Acoepiing the statement that separated milk or whoy is directly responsible for broadcasting the- disease amongst pigs, it is impossible to»arrive at any other conclusion than that calves become infected in. The same" manner. While not ignoring other possible sources of infection, Mr Gilruth states that infected milk (whole or separated) and whey are responsible for the greater number of new cases of tuberculosis which occur every year. And separated milk or whey can be rendered inocuous, so far as tubercolosis is con ceirned, by the simple method or' Crilisdng it. ' Mr Gilruth suggests i 1 1here should be a systematic and periodic examination of all dairy cows, including a careful examination of each cow's udder, and the 1 application of the tuberculin test to all cows in which the clinical indications, while suspicious, are not sufficient to enable a positive decision to be arrived at. Further, he advises the compulsory notification of all cases of abnormal conditions of the udder, prohibition of the sale of such cows unless passed by a qualified veterinarian as being free from tuberculosis or otter scheduled disease, and tb& sterilisation' (so far as the destruction of tubercle bacilli is concerned) of all separated milk before it leaves the factory or creamery. These recommendations will doubtless be carefully rioted by dairy farmers and stock owners There is usually a hearty response to the suggestions from the Department with regard to prevention of the spread of diseases, and we do not doubt but that farmers will welcome the operation of any measures which will be beneficial to their interests A disquieting feature of the whole matter is that a. i large number of cows in the Dominion must be producing tubercular nrlk. This emphasizes the necessity for -the I payment of attention to Mr Gilruth'i remarks.