The good results may be attributed to the adoption of a system which secured the confidence and trust of the stockowner: he sees that the State has no desire to oppress nor injure him; he is in no dread of a high-handed confiscation of his remunerative property without indemnity; while advanced cases are destroyed he is left the option of segregating his latent cases and marketing their products under the precaution of sterilization; he can raise the progeny of these animals if he will, under similar precautions; he can sell his stock and its product under government certificate if they prove sound; he can avail of government assistance in protecting his herd against reinfection, by the testing of animals to be purchased. Under such a system there is no object in secreting infection, and in underhanded sale of tuberculous animals, with the spread of the disease into new centres. Even the tardy or inimical stockowner is roused to action by public opinion, when he finds the market for his suspected product growing more and more uncertain, and feels the daily encreasing pressure of opinion among neighboring owners, that he is exceeding his rights in maintaining an infected herd in the very midst of their purified ones.
A most important item of the system of Pennsylvania, and of sixteen other states, is the compulsory testing of all stock cattle introduced into the State. This has the further support of the Federal Government which demands a tuberculin test of every stock bovine animal imported into the United States. This is a natural corollary of every attempt to restrict or extirpate tuberculosis from a State, but when through willful blindness a great State like New York, repudiates a measure of this kind, it but makes its dairy and breeding herds the depository of the reacting animals that other states wisely exclude. The sifting process goes on at Buffalo and other centres and the New York herds are loaded with the rejected, diseased animals. Under the operation of this, and the denial of indemnity for animals slaughtered, it will be wonderful, if the New York stock owner is not soon roused up from his idle dream of fancied security, by a great extension of the infection.
Generally Applicable Measures. Under any system many special rules will be demanded in individual cases, which it will require the skill of the expert sanitarian to apply, and which cannot be referred to here. The following are generally applicable whether by the owner in his particular herd, or by the State or other authority dealing with the subject.
1st. On discovery of a case of tuberculosis, test the whole herd with tuberculin. (See Tuberculin Testing.)
2d. Remove all animals that show a typical reaction.
3d. Destroy and burn, boil or deeply bury all cases of the disease, unless it is decided to form an isolated herd of latent cases which are in good condition and apparent good health.
4th. In case of doubt or disturbing influence which may have caused rise of temperature (calving, heat, exposure, concurrent disease, changes in management, etc.), keep the suspected animal apart for four weeks and test again.
5th. Repeat the test every six months, and if two successive tests show no indication of tuberculosis, the herd may be accounted sound.
6th. As soon as tuberculous animals have been removed from a stable, let it be vacated and thoroughly disinfected with chloride of lime, 4 ozs. to 1 gallon of water, and enough quick lime to make a good whitewash which will show if even a square inch is missed. When chloride of lime is objectionable because of its tainting the milk, use mercuric chloride 1 dr. to 1 gallon water, with enough sal ammoniac to make it freely soluble. The roof, walls, and especially the floor, gutter and feeding trough must be first thoroughly scraped, washed and cleaned, all rotten wood work must be removed, and, in case of double boarded walls, the boards must be removed on one side to permit of a thorough application. Utensils should be scalded and dressed with carbolic acid, 1:20. A stable incapable of disinfection should be abandoned for a length of time or burned.
7th. In making new purchases, avoid any herd in which tuberculosis has appeared, or that has had sickness or deaths in recent years.