Dr. Eastwood's report to the local government board on American methods for the control and improvement of the milk supply.

  • Eastwood, A. (Arthur), 1867-1936
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. Eastwood's report to the local government board on American methods for the control and improvement of the milk supply. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CONTROL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN WISCONSIN. PART I. The conditions of the Milch Cows, with Special Reference to the Detection of Tuberculosis and the Policy of Compen- sation. THE METHODS OF VARIOUS STATES. Wisconsin. My information concerning the health of the dairy cattle in this State was obtained at Madison from the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Wisconsin. Most of my facts were derived from Mr. C. Hoffmann, who is devoting special attention to this subject under the direction of Dr. H. L. Russell. The application of the tuberculin test has shown that tuber- culosis is common throughout the State and is particularly prevalent in the older and more densely populated districts. The Northern two-thirds of the State are of comparatively recent development and are thinly populated. In this area the total number of animals tuberculin tested during a period of three years (190.5-8) amounted to 23,351. Out of this number positive reactions were obtained in 781 cases, or 3*5 per cent. The cattle tested constituted 1,586 distinct herds, amongst which 281, or 17*7 per cent., contained infected animals. In the Southern third of the State, which has been settled for a longer period and is more densely populated, 43,176 animals were tested during the same period and gave reactions in 4,570 cases, or 10'5 per cent. The animals formed 2,164 herds, of which 941, or 43*4 per cent., showed infection. On my inquiring whether there was any evidence that the amount of bovine tuberculosis was diminishing in the State of Wisconsin, Mr. Hoffmann produced the following data. During a period of 12 months (1905-6) 9,718 animals were tested, and of these 1,726, or 17'7 per cent., reacted. The animals comprised 486 herds, the number of herds found infected being 257, or 52’8 per cent. During the next 12 months (1906-7) 15,816 animals were tested; 1,291, or 8T per cent, reacted. These animals constituted 868 herds, amongst which 314, or 36T per cent., were found infected. During the next period of 12 months (1907-8) 40,993 animals were tested and 2,334, or 5*6 per cent., reacted. The animals formed 2,396 herds, of which 651, or 26‘9 per cent., were found infected. All the above figures refer to separate tests on different animals. These data show that the use of the tubeiculin test is increasing ; they also afford some ground foi believing that the amount of tuberculosis is on the decline.
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