VETERINARY CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5240, 17 February 1928, Page 4

VETERINARY CLUB.

EXECUTIVE MEETING AT NGATEA.

DEALING WITH MAMMITIS.

The executive of tihe Farmers’ Veterinary Club met at Ngatea on Tuesday evening last, Mr G. T. D. .vid&on presiding oyer Messrs R. Burke, C. W. Schultz, G. Phillips, E. W. Martin, and the secretary (Mr C. A. Gibson). MAMMITIS. With reference to the mysterious malady which affected the udders of some cows belonging to members last spring, a report was received from the Veterinarian Department of Agriculture, Hamilton, stating that a microscopic examination of tihe samples submitted to the veterinary laboratory, Wallaceville, showed that the condition was due to infection of the udders by streptococci (contagious strep, mammitis), the degree of mammitis present varying somewhat, but was of the same type throughoutThe opinion formed from examination by the microscope was substantiated by culture, work. The importance, of carefully observing cows’ quarters at each milking by manipulation and drawing a small quantity of milk from each quarter before putting cups on was stressed. Should any change be noticed, however slight, the c«w should be milked last and carefully stripped by hand. It was very important not to put machines back on a cow that had been affected before she had completely recovered.

In connection with the machines, the vacuum should not be allowed to run too high, and more attention should be paid when milking to see that the cups were not kept on a cow too, long. In this way, and by attention to generally improved the risk of spreading infection? was considerably reduced.

Cases did not always respond readily to curative treatment. Such treatment must be based on the principle of drainage, which involved frequent stripping out of an affected quarter—this should be done into a can containing some disinfectant. At the same, time the quarters could be well massaged with some lubricant, such as camphorated oil;; something that did not irritate the outside surface and so tend to make the cow resent subsequent treatment. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to thank the department for its attention to the matter. ABATTOIRS. ' In reply to the club’s letter urging the establishment of abattoirs on the Plains to ensure that aill stock slaughtered for human consumption wiould be inspected, the Hauraki Plains County Council wrote advisting that the matter had been deferred pending consideration separately by councillors. Mr Burke advocated taking the matter up again. If, the cost of the abattoirs was to fall on ratepayers he would advocate having all cattle killed at’Thames; or s 3 me other abattoirs. He moved that the council be urged to give the matter very careful consideration, and failing the establishment of abattoirs, that it consider the question of insisting on all cattle for human consumption being slaughtered at the Thames abattoirs •■when the Hauraki bridge was completed. Seconded by Mr Schultz and carried. z SALESMAN’S- TALK. Mr Burke reported that a salesman with an alleged .cure for vaginitis was, visiting fanners and making the statement that the club’s surgeon could not cure this complaint. That was false, and the cost of the drugs supplied by the sturgeon was a third, ■or less, of that charged by the traveller. It had to be considered ■ that jWihat would cure one cow would not necessarily cure another, but Mr Costello had several mixtures and was obtaining very satisfactory results. It was therefore wrong to say that he could not cure vaginitis. FINANCE. Following a report by the secretary that the financial position had not improved, it was decided to take drastic action to recover, all outsatnding moneys. REPORTS OF MEETINGS? The chairman, Mr G. T. Davidson, reported that he had been taken to task by several membem concerning the reports of club meetings as appearing in? the “Gazette.” The complaints were that matters reflecting on. the district were published. He had pointed out that the reports, had been approved by him before publication, and he had assured the complainants that they were true and correct reports of the position disclosed at the The position had been, bad; and in his opinion it was right and proper that members of the s club should be made acquainted with the danger. The trouble was there, and it had to be faced so it was no use endeavouring to create a false impression by curbing the The newspaper was the best means of keeping members acquainted with the doings of the club throughout the year. ~