TUBERCULOSIS AND DAIRY HERD INSPECTION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17469, 1 June 1922, Page 9

TUBERCULOSIS AND DAIRY HERD INSPECTION.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir,—Under tlie heading of the above subject in the leading Columns of your issue of the 2oth inst., you write: "One of these is the urgent need of the rostoration of tho system of testing dairy herds. At one time this was carried out with a, rigour that, from the point of view of the public health, was whol'ly commendable. Tho consumption oi milk from a tuberculous oow is one of tho most fruitful causes of tubercular disease, and it is almost incredible that, .is stated at yesterday's meeting of the Board, this most useful measure has been abandoned on the score of expense." This statement is rather misleading, and calculated to do «n injustice to dairymen and officers of the Agricultural Department. The facts are that the cows on, the various dairy farms where milk is drawn for city supply are under inspection, and any com who show any outward symptoms are condemned, and anything doubtful is submitted to the tubercular test,. and if they react are condemned and slaughtered. Again, numerous samples of milk aire taken from various herds and sent to the Government laboratory at Wellington, where it is examined by scientific f methods for the presence of tubercle bacilli, and I have not heard of any complaints. Large numbers of the milk cows are purchased at Addington yards, and I notice the inspectors are there, on the alert. I am not 'awaTe that there wa,s any wholesnlc system. of submitting herds to the tuberculin test, except the few herds that were supplying the Hospital and Consumption Sanatoriums. In penning the foregoing, I do not wish to infer tlhat I am against the good work .being aidvocated by Dr. Blackmore, as I wish him every success in his campaign against the white scourge.— Yours, etc., n. BLISS, Jun., Ex-Resident ChriiVh'iirch Wholesale Dairymen's Association. Ellesmere.