VETERINARY CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5208, 25 November 1927, Page 3

VETERINARY CLUB.

DISEASES' OF STOCK. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT. The executive of the Farmers’ Veterinary Club met at Ngatea on Wednesday afternoon, Mr C. H. Waite piesiding oven- Messrs R- Burke, E. WMartin, S. Phillips, C. W. Martin, SPhillips, C. W. Schultz, G. T. Davidson, and the. secretary, Mr C. A. Gibson.

The secretary reported that the 1 surateon had got in touch with the Agricultural Department with reference to sending an officer to th® district to investigate the mysterious malady affecting cows’ udders. Sb far the officer had not arrived, and.there was a chance that if he did not arrive soon therei would not be any affected, cows about- Most of the animals had either died or had been turned out. The- Hamilton Vaccine Co., Ltd., wrote advising that it had noticed the prevalence of mammitis in the district in the Press report of the last meeting. The matter had been brought under the notice of Mr J. Gi Smith, the company’s bacteriologist, who had waited on the chairman, Mr Davidson, and the surgeon, Mr J. Costello. Mr Smith was convinced that a large proportion of the trouble was mammitis of streptococial and stapnytococial origin, and the company s vaccine was a preventive against mammitis of these origins. Mr Costello had been asked tp. forward a dozen samples of milk from affected cows. From these it was proposed to make an autogenous vaccine. One hundred doses of this vaccine would be forwarded to the club fior free, administration by the surgeon purely with a view to experimental work. The vaccine would be given free, no matter what the iesults of the experiments. It was expected by the company that Mr Costello would inoculate twp or three herds with the vaccine, and the company was confident the results would be such that the club would ejnter into negotiations to be appointed agents for the inoculation of the herds of members. It was pointed out that although the vaccine was put on the market purely as a preventive, it has been definitely proved that from- 80 to 90 per cent, of cases o contagious mammitis had been cured. Mr Waite was of the opinion that the offer was not a bad one on thei surface, but the matter was one for the Government to experiment with. He would not agree to the club recommending any vaccine which had not been thoroughly tested and proved quite satisfactory. Vaccine was not recommended by the Government. Members quoted instances of satisfactory and of disastrous results in herds which had been inoculated, and agreed that no one could say whether the lesult was due to the vaccine or to other causes. There would be udder troubles no matter what inoculations were done. Mr Davidson said that the club might accept the offer on the under- - standing that no statement be made , •jkn the result for at least two Mr Waite moved that, the club take no action in the matter. Mr Burke seconded, agreeing that it was not for the club to foster the matter, though it had no objection to ■members undertaking treatment. As an amendment Mr Davidson moved that the offer be accepted on the understanding that no statement as to results be made by the club for at least two years. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder and the motion was carried. STOCK INSPECTION. Mr Burke said that there was an abnormal amount of tuberculosis among the cattle of the Flams, and he was of the opinion that the club should urge on the Government the necessity of having all herds examined twice a .year. About. 200 cows were condemned on the Plains annually, and there was no doubt that diseased cows wejre milked as long as possible before their condition was brought to the notice of the stock inspector. A motion as suggested was carried unanimously. ABATTOIRS. Mr Burke said that this brought up the need for abattoirs on the Plains. Hq thought the club should urge the County Council to take up the matter. There was no doubt that with th© large proportion of diseased cattle on the Plains all stock slaughtered for human consumption should be inspected. It was decided to make representations to the County Council. FINANCE. The secretary reported that as a result of the canvass made by members of the executive over £250 of the £4OO outstanding had been collected. This was considered satisfactory, and all accounts were passed for payment as far as funds permitted.