WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 526, 14 December 1899, Page 4

WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

THE usual monthly meeting of the above Club was held in the Club Room at Cam bridge on Monday evening. There were present :—Messrs IS, Allen (President), \V. G. Paik (Vice-President), F. D. Rich, R. Reynolds, J. Anderson, 11. Gillctt, T. W. Hicks, J. Blackwood, E. B. Hill, C. Neal, G. Runcinian, J. Allen, G. Empson, G. E. Chrk, A. Cane, J. T. Hicks. J.Taylor, C. Potts, C. Hunter, M. H. Pickering. Crcvillo Smith, T. Hartly, I). Ross (Stock Inspector), J. Kerr (Inspector) and J. A. Gilruth, M.R.C.V.S., Chief Oovernmcnt Veterinarian. New Member.—Mr John Case, of Roto-o-rangi, was duly elected a member of the Club. The Weight of Sacks of Wheat.— The General Manager of Railways wrote stating that Parliament had been petitioned to reduce the weight of sacks of wheat from 2401 b to '2oolb avoirdupois, on the ground that the carrying of the former weight injuriously affects the men who have to handle the sacks. The Committee, which dealt with the petition, referred it to the Government for favourable consideration and expressed the opinion than legislation should be introduced dealing with the subject. As the matter was one of considerable ini portance he asked the Club's opinion on it. The communication continued: " The Governm-nt is iu favour of reducing the weight to 200ib, and if this is generally approved will next session introduce legislation to give effect to the reduction. If it is decided to reduce the weight a public notification to that effect will be issued so as to give producers ample time to purchase sacks of the requisite siz-."—The President said the delegates from the various Farmers' Association who met in Auckland last month discussed the subject, and decided to support the change being made. The only difficulty appeared to be that if the sacks were made to hold jii3t 2001 b of wheat they would be too small for oats and other grain. He did not think there would be the slightest neccssily to have smaller sacks than at present, for it only meant doubling a small portion of the top of the sack in, and then they would be large enough for all kinds of grain. —Mr Cillett said that could be met by the millers supplying the Backs and taking them buck again.—Mr Reynolds thought 2001 b was sufficient weight for anyone to carry, and he moved that the Club heartily endorses the action of the delegates in endeavouring to eet the weight of sacks of wheat reduced.— Seconded by the President and urnuimously agreed to. AucTioNEEr.3' Chakces.—Mr William Johns, vice-President for the western portion of the Club's district, forwarded the following resolution which had been passed at the quarterly meeting, held at Ohaupo on 28th November last: " That this branch is of opinion that the charge of yard fees inado -by the Waikato auctioned s in selling live stock, in addition to commission, is an unjust and vexatious one, and ought to be abolished ; as ought also the charge for advertising in addition to 5 per cent, commission charged in selling horses, and trusts the Club at its next meeting at Cambridge will give an opinion on the matter."—Mr Johns wrote that the fccliug on his side of the district was very strong in the direction indicated.—The President said the matter was one on which the whole of the farmers felt rather strongly, and at previous meetings of the Club had expressed themselves freely, but not bine appeared to have resulted from it. As the Chief Government Veterinary Surgeon had come to address them that evening he thought they should adjourn the discussion of the resolution forwarded by Mr Johns until next meeting.—This was unanimously agreed to. Diseases of Cattle, Sheep and Houses, and the Remedies fob Them —The President then introduced Mr Gilruth, and apologised for the absenceof a number of members of the Club, who weie confined to their residences by influenza.—Mr Gilruth said he had come to tell them what he knew about the various diseases of animals reared and used by farmers, but the subject was such a large one that he would like to know what particular branch of the subject would be most acceptable to them. —The President said the Waikato was a cattle rearing district, and he judged the diseases of animals was of the utmost importance to the settlers.—Mr Gilruth said I he perennial tuberculosis was the most important of cattle disease?.—Mr Tucker suggested the dairy cow sh.uld not be forgotten in Mr Gilruth's remarks.-Mr Gihu'li said undoubtedly the disease that was doing the most harm amongst cattle iu New Zealand was tuberculosis, and it proved to be present to a great extent that was expected. It was in every civilized country, and in souie portions of Great Britain from SO to !)0 per cent of the cattle were affected with it, and of fat animals killed at the large abattoirs as many as 26 per cent were found to be suffering from it. It was prevalent in South America, the States--, Canada and even in Japan, and in fact wherever the improved breeds had been intoduced, but it was not nearly so prevalent in the native breeds. This would be accounted for by the improved breeds being housed together at some portion of their lives and becoming infected, or they might catch the disease from human beings suffering from consumption, which was the same disease. Unfortunately tuberculosis in cattle was in all parts of the colony, Marlborough being the most free with only 1 per pent. Fat cattle did not suffer as much as dairy ones, and in Dunsdin the average amongst the rattle slaughtered was only 2 per cent. The cause of tuberculosis was a microbe, a vegetable organism, about l-7000:h of an inch in length, which was discovered by Dr. Koch iu 18S2, but previous to that time it was known that the disease was contagious. These small microbes or plants coiristed of one cell, and were reproduced by division. Some of them divide once in every hour so in 24 hours one would have multiplied to millions. Thiy could not grort- outside the body, except in specially prepared material known to experts who were thereby enabled to study the development of them. The disease might be contracted from man or the lower auin.als, and probably the disease was most frequently conveyed in one of the two following"ways: —(1) The broken-down, softened material from a diseased lung is coughed up and ejected on to the pasture and is sooner or later taken into the alimentary canal of another animal grazing over the same spot ; the bacilli in time would undoubtedly be destroyed by the action of the sun's rays, which act as as powerful germicide, were it not that frequently the viscid matter becomes dried on the surface, and forms a protective covering for the portion underneath, thus enabling the bacilli to retain their vitality for a considerable time : (2) The ejected material from a diseased lung is deposited about a bail or cowshed, becomes dried and reduced to powder, and floats off in the atmosphere to be inhaled by any unfortunate animal, either human or bovine, which may be in the building, tuberculosis of the respiratory system being produced. The bacilli of tuberculosis, in common with all other micro organisms, are much more resistant in the dry state than in the moist to all germicidal influences. The most frequently affected portions in the body of cattle in this colony ate the glands of the throat (the pleura), and the glands between the lungs. The presence of tuberculosis to even a very marked extent i.s often only observed when the carcase is being dressed by the butchers ; indeed, tl at it is perfectly compatible with every appearance of health is shown by the statistics from European abattoirs, where all animate are examined prior to U 3 well as after slaughter. The symptoms, then, of the disease, unless iu very advanced stages, are extremely obscure, and vary

much according to the organs affected. In this country its presence is most readily observed when iiffocting the glands of the throat ; but actinomycosis may produce sirrilar symptoms, the differentiation in life being almost imp"s sible, so far as naked eye appearances are concerned. These th:oat tumours may be the only portion of the animal affected, and yet give rise to considerable discomfort, difficulty in breathing, and what may be termed a " snoring " noise being produced, especially when the respirations are increased through ixcitoment of any kind. Enlarged glauds on the side of the throat, underneath the ear, are readily observed, but when deep-seated they may have attained a considerable size, having been affected for months, or even years, before any suspicions are aroused. Manipulation of the throat may disclose to the touch that these glands are much harder than normal, enlarged, more or less oval, sharply defined-in fact, that they feel like a ball of solid indiarubber underneath the skin. Frequently the breathing, in case« of throat tuberculosis, is observed to have quite suddenly improved, and the animal may appear to have completely recovered, only, however, to gradually relapse. The reasou of this apparent sudden recovery is simply that the abscess has burst into the larynx or cavity communicating with the mouth and nose, and the semifluid matter has been partly swallowed, partly inhaled into the lungn, and purtly expelled through the mouth and nostrils on to the pasture, where it is 1 able to contaminate healthy animals grazing alongside. In certain cases the presence of these tumours is indicated by the head being held in a more or less straight line with the body, instead of at the natural angle, iu order to facilitate the breathing, and if the animal is made to move quickly the mouth is opened and the tongue extruded as if choking were imminent. The lungs are also a common seat _ of the disease, cither iu conjunction with throat tumours or separately, and the affected animal is dangerous from the point of view of infection because of the frequency with which the virus contained in the separate nodules is fjected during fits of coughing. Oft.n the lymphatic glands of the mediastinum (space between the lungs) are observed to be tubercular without any apparent disease of the lungs, although entrance of the germ has undoubtedly been gained through them. In the first staee of pulmonary affection there are practically no symptoms, though \ery occasionally a slight, dry, ehoit cough may be heard, especially when the animal is suddenly moved, or after running some distance. Sometimes the first evidence in females is a constant desire for the bull, and an incapability of becoming pregnant. However, the animal may appear in the best of health as regards appetite, milk supply, etc. The Becond 6tage is more pronounced, the coat becoming dry, hard, standing on end, etc.—in fact, the animal being " hide-bound," as commonly termed ; although it must be remembered that this condition frequently arises from other causes. Pressure applied to the spaces between the ribs, or os'er the seat of the kidneys may cause evident pain, a sort of halt groan, half cough being evinced. The eo.ugh is more frequent, dry, hoarse and more or less paroxysmal in nature. If the animal be allowed to stand etill after being driven fast, the breathing is seen to be laboured, a short fit of spasmodic coughing probably takes place, ami a deep, thick cough may lie followed by the ejection from the mouth of a quantity of thick, viscid, yellow material, m'oroscopioal exan ination of which would show, in all probability numbers of the specific bacilli. In the majority of cases, however, it only reaches as far as the back of the mouth, when it is at once swallowed, the movement of the gullet being noticeable to the careful bystander. The practised observer may, by placing the ear to the wall of the chest, make out the extent of the disease from the sounds made by the air passing through the lung.-'. The appetite iu certain cases becomes changed, and even abnormal, the secretion of milk diminishes and its quality alters, assuming a bluish watery tint, but not dangerous to consumers provided the udder remains healthy. The last stage of the disease gradually superveues, the animal lecoming more hidebound, weak and emaciated. The head hangs in a dejected manner, the eyes are sunken and watery, the nostrils are covered with a sticky discharge, the shoulders are stretched out to allow as great an expansion of the chest as possible, the breathing is quickened, and the cough feeble and racking. Death either results from exhaustion or suffocatiou, due to accumulation of purulent mucus in the air tubes. Cases even in this last stage may be seen in the colony, and one is at a loss to know why they are suffered to exist, if only from a humanitarian standpoint, apart from the fact that such an animal, while of no possible utility, is a constant menace to the health of the rest of the herd. Natura'ly, other symptoms bodies the abovementioned may. be observed in the later stages notably colicy pains, with alternate attacks of constipation and diarrhoea, due to disease of the bowels following thesw allowing of diseased matter from the lungs ; discharge of slimy matter from the vagina, as a result of womb infection ; swelling of the glands or groin, shoulder, etc ; lameness due to disease of the joiuts or boues ; giddiness, and even paralysis, due to infectiou of the brain or spinal cord, etc. Tuberculosis in the abdominal organs, such as the spleen, liver, intestines, womb, ovaries, etc., is extremely difficult to diagnose, especially when the disease is localised, any symptoms exhibited being as a rule indefinite. Tuberculosis of the udder is of the greatest importance, both to the stockowner and the milk-consuming public. Fortunately-it is rare. Professor Bang, of Copenhagen, considers that out of 100 tuberculous cows not more than three or four have the udder affected, and I am confident that in New Zealand the percentage is even les?. I have frequently remarked the great extent to which the disease may be generalised throughout the body, affecting the ovaries, womb, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, arid even the stomach in one case, while the udder was perfectly healthy. However, the danger of conveying the disease to children and calves by means of the milk is great, for the milk from a diseased udder being mixed with that of several healthy cows, a greater distribution is effected. Although experiments have shown that very small doses arc without effect if taken by the alimentary canal, and though no doubt most of us have at one time or another drunk milk fr m a tuberculous udder without serious result, yet many cases of infantile tuberculosis have been traced to diseased milk. This disease of the udder comes on gradually, and is manifested by a " slightly hard, diffused swelling, unaccompanied by heat or tenderness of the organ " (ftocard). As a rule only one quarter, usually a posterior one, is attacked, and at times the organ may be considerably swollen. The milk is not altered in appearance for some time after the commencement of the disease of the udder, but gradually a yellow watery colour is assumed ; later "curdling" appears, and fiually thick yellowish matter only is discharged, after which the quarter soon " dries " altogether. The affected region gradually hardcus to almost a wooden consistency, while the lymphatic glands above increase in size in a similar manner to that described as occurring in those of the throat. As will be seen by the above general description of the various manifestations of tuberculosis, there arc few symptoms of a very characteristic nature, and that, were not other means of diagnosis available, we could not hope to cope with the disease. bacteriological examination should alvoys l.e made of any suspecte 1 matter, such as discharges from the nostrils or vagina, expectorated mucus, milk, etc., which can be carried out in the veterin-

ary laboratory in Wellington free of charge for anyone desirous of haviug such examination made. In many ca-es simple mircroßcopical examination suffices to demonstrate the presence of the characteristic bacilli, but frequently it is necessary to test by special experimental processes, such as the inoculation of a guinea pig, and animals especially susceptible to the disease. Any material for examination should be placed in a small, clean, recently-boiled bottle, and immediately forwarded to Wellington. Undoubtedly the most satisfactory and reliable eliaguo.-is can be made by means of tuberculin, the material which, under the name of " Koch's lymph," agitated the public mind a few years ago with the hope that through it tuberculosis, at all events in its milder forms, could be cured. Unfortunately, these hopes were not realised, but experiments made in nearly every country have proved its great utility in demonstrating the presence of tuberculosis, even when the disease is so little advanced as to require the most careful and searching mortem examination to disclose any lesion at all. Tubercu'in is a brown lymphy liquid prepared from cultures of the bacilli of the tuberculosis in glycrinised broth. When given by the month no effect is produced, but when injected uuilur the skin, [or into the vein*, it produces, in tuberculous animals, in from ten to twenty hours (usually from twelve to eighteen) a considerable rise of the body temperature, and a feverish condition generally, while the temperature of healthy animals remains normal. The method of testing cattle is as follows : The animals should be as quiet and as near their normal state as possible. With milking cows in the habit of being bailed up, there is naturally no difficulty in preventing the 'rise of temperature which really occurs when animals are driven or unduly exercised, but with cows used solely for breediug purposes great care is necessary to prevent excitement or over exertion. It is preferable to take the animals' temperahires morning and evening of the day of inoculation, but as the evening temperature is nearly always the higher, especially in diseased animals, it is quite serviceable to take it just at the time of inoculating, which is best done 6 to 7 p.m. Then the temperature is again taken at twelve, fifteen, and eighteen hours afterwards. Any animal in which a rise of two degrees or over is manifested will bo fouud to be diseased ; a rise of from one to two degrees is considered suspicious, and the animal should be tested again at a future time. In cases where animals are rutting or neatcalving, the test loses its value to a considerable extent, ior then sudden rises of temperature may occur independently of diseased conditions. A rise of temperature under a degree is of no moment. The objections that have been raised against the use of tuberculin are : First, that it causes generalisation or spreading of the disease throughout, the animal ; second, that in certain animals manifestly tuberculous no reaction occurs ; third, that in certain cases reaction is shown where no disease is. It has been stated that tuberculin may give the disease to healthy animals because it is a product of the disease germ,but that suchastatement is absurd must be recognised, seeing that the liquid is steriliseel in a special steriliser at a temperature of 18 degrees above boiling point, at wdiich nothing can remain alive. Tuberculin does not affect the milk nor the health of healthy cattle in the slightest degree, and even in those animals which react and show grave symptoms of indisposition the condition is very transitory, and passes off in a few hours. The question that concerns every farmer, then, is whether he has diseased stock or not. In all probability there is one animal at least affected iu every fairsized herd, and one exhibiting symptoms similar to those described above should be at once isolated, and the lemainder tested as soon as possible, which can be done on application to Mr Ross or myself, or the Secretary for Agriculture, Wellington, a small charge being made for each animal merely to cover the cost of the tuberculin. Those animals which react can be isolated from the healthy, the milk being used, after scalding, for feeding calves or pigs.