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Wisconsin Dairymen's Association / Fortieth annual report of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association : held at Beloit, Wis., November, 1911. Report of the proceedings, annual address of the president, and interesting essays and discussions relating to the dairy interests
(1912)
Hastings, E. G.
Tuberculin and its uses, pp. 97-106
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Page 97
Wisconsin Dairymen's Association. TUBERCULIN AND ITS USES. PROF. E. G. HAsTINGS, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, MADISON, WIs. The tuberculin test has been in practical use for twenty years. Dur- ing this interval thousands of herds have been examined for tuber- culosis, and the practical value of the test has been shown in freeing many of these herds from this disease. By the aid of the test, countries have been able not only to stop the spread of tuberculosis, but even to diminish the amount of this most important disease among their herds. The other methods which have been and are still used to some extent for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle are of minor signifi- cance when compared with the tuberculin test. It would not be too much to say that without it we should be practically helpless against the spread of tuberculosis in cattle. It would seem that during the twenty years the test has been in practical use all of the important points concerning its application should have been learned. It is very certain, however, that we have yet much to learn about it. Important information has been gained concerning it in the last few years, and it is to this that I should like to cal your attention to-day. The breeder and dairyman has often been led to believe that- the tuberculin test Is an infallible means by which he can detect the presence of the disease in his herd; that by its use he can remove every tubercular animal from the herd and no healthy animal. Ex- perience has shown otherwise. A freqaent experience has been some- what as follows: A herd of cattle was tested, and a considerable number of the animals were found to be diseased. These were re- moved, the stable was thoroughly disinfected, and a retest made within three to six months, at which time but one or two animals might react to the test. Another test was made a year thereafter and possibly a considerable number of reacting animals was then found. At another test a year later, tuberculosis might still be found to be present in the herd. In many cases the farmer became dis- souraged because of such results. He felt that it was impossible to free his herd from this disease, and he abandoned the idea of ever being able to obtain a healthy herd from the diseased foundation. In the past the blame for such results has been laid on inefficient testing or on faulty barn disinfection. Another experience which has been frequently brought to the attention of the sanitary authorities has been that a herd was tested, the reacting animals all removed, and soon thereafter, for some reason or other, one of the supposed all 7-D. 97
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