The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1899. Pure Milk.

Manawatu Herald, 18 May 1899, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1899. Pure Milk.

Since writing upon the subject of a proper inspection being made of the cattle used for milking and for beef in this Borough we have perused the letter written by the chief Government Veterinarian to Mr Blair, the Mayor of Wellington. It appears that Mr Gilruth had been accused by one of the Wellington papers as an alarmist, and to defend himself from such an aspersion he wrote to the Mayor explaining his action at the meetings of the Dairy Regulations Committee. It is evident, if Mr Gilruth is any authority, and we do not think anyone is inclined to challenge his right to be considered one, the sooner action is taken to have an inspection of cattle in the Borough, the better it will be tor everyone. We give the following extracts : — " I mentioned three badly tuberculous cows belonging to three different dairy farmers in the vicinity of Wellington ; in each instance my examination being made at the request of the owner. I mentioned only one case of cancer ; the animal was in an advanced stage of tuberculosis, and besides suffered from a large granulating bleeding tumour about six inches square a.n.4

four deep. Microscopical examination proved this to be composed of malignant cancerous issue. Whatever may have been attributed to me I have never said that " there was no cancer amongst the cattle in New Zealand." No scientist with a regard for his reputation would make such a statement, i.e., unless he had previously examined all the cattle personally. The following is the report of Mr Reakes, Government Veterinarian, contained in the annual report of last year :— ' Absolutely the worst case I met was that of a dairy cow near Wellington in which extensive generalised tuberculosis was present, every organ of the body being involved. Two quarters of the udder were badly diseased, and a calf six months old, which had been fed on the cow's milk, was, also, on post-mortem found to be tubercular.' And in reference to this animal he reports : ' The owner .... possessed only five milking cows, of which three proved to be tubercular.' Again : ' In connection with this I would add that the condition of the majority of the yards and milking sheds around Wellington is extremely insanitary and badly in need of improvement.' " The above conditions are in spite ot the fact that Wellington is one of the few cities which employs a special Inspector of Dairies. I mentioned a case reported to me by two medical men, of four chilpren ii^ a family in the town, three of whom became infected with tuberculosis (consumption) about the same time, while the other remained (and remains) healthy. There was no family history of tuberculosis. The healthy one was the child which under no circumstances could be induced to drink milk. The medical attendants were of opinion that tubercular milk was the direct cause of the malady. I endeavoured to trace the milk, but without success."