REPORT OF DAIRY COMMISSIONERS. 299 



strong point in the prevention of the spreading of the disease; 

 that by testing some 10,000 dairy cows furnishing milk and 

 cream to the Turner Center Creamery and 3,000 for the Ox- 

 ford Co. Creamery ; and by testing these cattle two and three 

 years in succession, the disease has been practically cleaned out 

 of these sections. 



By testing the milk supply of Bangor, Waterville, Portland, 

 Sanford, Oakland, Fairfield, Winslow, and Bath; also to a 

 large extent that of Lewiston and Auburn and other sections 

 in different parts of the State during the last two years, 6.3% 

 were found diseased. If the same sections could be retested 

 during the next two years, reasoning from past experiences 

 there would not be found over 3% diseased. By liberal appro- 

 priations and by persistent work, tuberculosis can be practi- 

 cally eradicated from our herds in the next few years. It 

 would be bad policy for the State, after spending so much 

 money and getting such good results, to adopt any method that 

 would check the business, and allow bovine tuberculosis to 

 increase in the State. 



There is a stronger sentiment for a sweeping test than there 

 was two years ago, and there is no question but that it would 

 be the most economical in the long run. It is strictly a public 

 health measure. 



The law requires that "Such sum as may be deemed neces- 

 sary, by the Cattle Commissioners, shall be used from their 

 appropriation for the purpose of vaccination of cattle against 

 tuberculosis, under the rules and regulations as shall be made 

 for the control of such work." 



Our rule is. that the State will pay for the vaccine, if the 

 owner will agree to pay the veterinarian and conform to the 

 regulations as laid down by the agents of the Vaccine Com- 

 pany. 



There are but half a dozen veterinarians in the State that 

 have been doing the work and they are selected by the agent 

 of the company and approved by the Cattle Commission. They 

 are instructed to report to the Commissioners all unfavorable 

 results in the use of the vaccine. During the years 1907-8 

 there were 50 calves so treated and during 1909-10 there were 

 145 calves so treated, and so far no unfavorable results have 

 been reported. It has cost slightly under $300.00 to do the 

 work. 



