266 , AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



hardly a week but that some assofiation, society or body, in 

 this State and all over the country, deliberates, debates and 

 resolves on this subject. Medical literature and expression 

 abound with material on this line, and the Red Cross stamp is 

 only the latest messenger to carry on the crusade which will 

 never stop until the disease has been practically driven from 

 both stable and home. 



Late in the fall of 1906, tuberculosis was reported to exist in 

 the insane hospital herd at Augusta. The Commissioners were 

 called into council about January i, 1907. Prior to this time 

 the herd, consisting of 169 cattle, had been tested by reliable 

 veterinarians, with the result that the entire herd re-acted under 

 the tuberculin test, and by the advice of the Governor, the Com- 

 missioners met with the trustees of the institution, and after 

 freely discussing the matter, the trustees voted to turn the herd 

 over to the Cattle Commission, for them to do with as they 

 thought best. This action of the trustees brought the matter 

 before the Commission, giving them power to act, under the law, 

 along the same line as though the herd had been owned by a 

 private party. 



There seemed to be a sentiment among some people that the 

 Commissioners could discriminate somewhat upon the herd as 

 It belonged to the State ; but the Commissioners could not see it 

 in that light, and the whole herd was condemned and destroyed, 

 the institution paying for the slaughtering of the cattle and the 

 labor for disinfecting the stables and receiving the proceeds from 

 the cattle in the way of hides and carcasses, sold to the Portland 

 Rendering Co., which amount was turned over to the institution. 



The disinfecting of the barns was done in a very thorough 

 manner and was looked after by the Commissioners from time 

 to time and when the new stock was bought, Mr. Campbell con- 

 sulted wuth the Commissioners and all new stock was tested 

 before going into the stables. The first of December, 1908, all 

 were re-tested and showed to be in sound condition. 



