CONTAGIOUS MAMMITIS

Shannon News, 20 January 1925, Page 1

CONTAGIOUS MAMMITIS

THE VACCINE TREATMENT. THOUSANDS OF COWS OFFERED. Addressing a meeting of farmers at Mafhmata, on contagious mammitis in cattle, Mr J. C. Williams, one of the promoters of the vaccine, said that investigations had shown that the germ of mammitis could be present when the milk appeared to be" quite normal. The new vaccine was a bacteriological product, manufactured frOm the germ of mammitis itself. The promoters did not claim to effect an absolute cure in all cases. In such matters there wer e always exceptions in the form of individual animals that would not respond to vaccine treatment. So far, however, they had not met with a failure. It was now three years since the first herd was treated, and there had been no recurrence. The bacteriologist behind the discovery had his professional reputation to guard, and it was desired that the Government should have the treatment tested out without delay. Cabinet, however, did not seem to grasp the position. The members wanted to know if the promoters wanted money and an answer had been given in the negative. The promoters wanted the Government officers to pick out some badly-infect-ed cows in the' Waikato, and the promoters would inoculate them. Thereafter the officers could make their tests and satisfy themselves a s to whether the vaccine was effective or not.

The Government was now showing more interest. Dr. Reakes had asked for some of the vaccine in order to test six cows, and although the promoters did not like with the was like giving their brains to someone else —yet they *had supplied, what was asked for. They now had so many applications in for the inoculation of cows that it would take them three months to get through. He could not state what the period of immunity would be, but none of the cattle inoculated in 1921 or afterwards had again been affected. After a number of questions had been answered the meeting oppointed a to arrange for the inoculation of cows in various parts of the Matamata district. No less than 2500 cows were promised in the room. The chairman said he thought that there would probably be l- oiu 5000 to 7000 cows altogether to be livated not because they actually needed it now, but as a preventive measure. i'he chairman was of opinion that all the cattle inoculated should be mamied.