DISEASED COWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14345, 25 October 1910, Page 3

DISEASED COWS.

REPORT BY MR. REAKBS. ON DAIRY INSPECTION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) has obtained a report from the Chief Veterinarian (Mr. 0. J. llcakcs) upon the question of the transmission ol tuberculosis by the milk from diseased cows, with special 'reference to the conditions in Christchurch brought to light by the recent death of a girl from tubercular peritonitis. “1 am not quite clear,” Mr. :Reakes wrote, "whether there was. specific evidence that infected milk 'Was without question responsible for setting up the disease in the girl who died recently in Christchurch from tuberdular -peritonitis, said to have been caused by drinking tubercular milk. It would appear, difficult to prove this, seeing that tiro medical evidence showed: that the diseased condition was one of long standing. It is reported that a statement was made that 20‘ per cent, of the milk delivered in Christchurch came; from tubercular cows. This statement is altogether opposed to the evidence furnished by inspectors’ reports, and I am quite satisfied that there is t nothing liko so large a percentage of tubercular cows supplying- milk in Christchurch or any other place in the Dominion. Inspectors working among the dairies pay particular attention to tho health of the cows, especially as regards tuberculosis and tho yielding of milk infected by the germs of this disease. Every effort is made to eliminate from the herds cows dangerous from this, point of view; tlie practice being, to. make a careful clinical examination of each individual cow destroying any showing outward ’ evidences and applying" the tubercular tost to every animal which while not giving indication? yet arouses some suspicion; in the mind of the inspector. Further, samples of the collective milk of herds are collected and sent to the Wallaccville Laboratory for examination with, a view of endeavouring to detect the presence of tubercle bacilli. In fact, every effort is made to eliminate from tho dairy-herds dangerous tubercular cows. The inspection of dairies is much more thorough and efficient now than it has ever been, seeing that a larger staff is engaged in the work than when' Mr. M’Phorson so energetically dealt with tho dairy inspection at Christchurch, Two inspectors are constantly engaged In the inspection of dairies, and in. addition the veterinary officer stationed ■ at Christchurch devotes a considerable portion of his time to work among ■ dairy , cows. Further veterinary services are being rendered by the veterinary sqpervisor for the district. The question of the adulteration of milk is one which is entirely in tho- hands of the' Health Department, and that Department is, 'J' understand, actively and energetically dealing with it. As regards the 'milk supply at Manchester, I went very fully into the question with .the authorities there during my late visit, to England, and good as Manchester is, I am quite satisfied that the system of-inspection of dairy cows and milking, premises prevailing in Cliristchurch,,to-.day is'mubh more thorough than is the case.therm In New Zealand’we'have a great advantage .over tho authorities at Home seeing that our powers enable yis to destroy diseased cows, whereas in the Old Country such power does not exist.”