THE FIGHT AGAINST MAMMITIS

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 8

THE FIGHT AGAINST MAMMITIS

The crusade against mammitis among dairy herds in New Zealand is becoming stronger. While the Chief Government Veterinarian was urging before the Farmers' Union Conference last week the need of vigorous steps to suppress the disease, his assistants in the producing districts have been emphasising the same need. Farmers also at recent meetings have shown themselves alive to the urgency of the matter, and an early combined decisive attack upon the disease may be looked for. Referring to the question last week the Poverty Bay Herald said: — "About 300 dairies, comprising approximately 5000 cows, contribute to the daily milk supply of Wellington. Recently an examination was made of the whole of the herds, when it was found that no less than 25 per cent. of the cows that were hitherto regarded as healthy were suffering more or less from contagious mammitis. The above information, which is somewhat of an alarming nature, was learned by a Herald representative when on a visit to the Wallaceville laboratory a few days ago. "Taking up a test tube the laboratory assistant showed a sample of milk drawn from a cow suffering from contagious mammitis, a thick yellowish matter, more of the nature of pus — which, in point of fact, it is — than of milk. More advanced still, it assumes a dirty brownish tint, and about one-quarter forms a deposit, surmounted by a thin, pale, milky fluid. When such as that is yielded, the laboratory assistant explained, the cow shows symptoms of feverishness, and has reached an advanced stage. Taking up another tube it was seen to contain what to all appearances was ordinarylooking milk free from contamination. Examined under a powerful microscope, streptococci were indicated on the testing glass. Further arguments respecting the necessity for a regular and constant examination of the public milk supply were not required. The drinking of impure milk, particularly if charged with contagious mammitis, is responsible for the dissemination of septic sore throats, especially among the children of the towns of the Dominion." "The whole trouble," explained an official of the department, "is the absence of more stringent regulations. Contagious mammitis, for instance, is not a scheduled disease. We can only advise dairy-farmers what they should do, and it is for them to choose of their own sweet will whether they follow

our instructions. Animals suffering from contagious mammitis or contagious abortion should be milked strictly apart from the rest of the herd, and they should be prohibited from being placed in public saleyards. Dairy regulations, over which there was such a fuss last year, are now being framed by the department which, it is understood, will amply meet the situation.." "Contagious mammitis is very prevalent in the Poverty Bay district," remarked Mr S. Burton, Government Veterinarian, in response to further inquiries, "just as it is in in other districts, and the percentage quoted at Wellington (25 per cent.) is probably well within the mark locally. Farmers, however, as a result of recent lectures that have been delivered, are getting their herds into a cleaner state by following the instructions that have been supplied them." Mr Burton added that it had been suggested that in the scheme of reorganisation the inspection of dairies and dairy herds would in future come under the control of the Veterinary Department, and with the issue of the proposed new regulations the inspection of the industry would be placed on a much more satisfactory footing."

It is feared contagious mammitis is much more common in Otago than is generally believed. The want of knowledge or carelessness on the part of some owners of dairy herds is remarkable. Not long ago a semipublic exhibition was given of a milking plant in operation. Among the cows stalled were two suffering from mammitis, yet the cups were attached to the teats of one cow badly infected, and afterwards used on the adjoining cows.