I2g ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. DOC. 



continued freedom from infection can be insured. Already pros- 

 pective buyers are inquiring of me as to where tliey may find vac- 

 cinated cattle and this preference is likely to increase and to de- 

 velop a definite market demand. 



^'With this new protective method in hand and with other aids 

 that may fairly be said to be in prospect we are steadily gaining 

 ground in our long and difficult fight with this scourge," 



THE INSPECTION OF COWS FKOM OTHElR STATES. Under 

 the provisions of the Act approved May 26, 1897, it is provided that 

 all dairy cows and cattle for breeding purposes from other states 

 shall be tested with tubcculin, at the cost of the shipper. During 

 the past year 28,075 cattle have been tested under the provisions of 

 this Act. About one third of these were tested outside of Pennsyl- 

 vania and two thirds within the state. The effect of this law has 

 been to lead dealers to exercise more care in the purchase of animals 

 and to discontinue purchasing in localities where tuberculosis is 

 prevalent. It is now required that inspectors of such animals shall 

 make affidavit to their reports. This became necessary because a 

 few inspectors were suspected of falsifying reports. Such conduct 

 was proven in two cases within the State and in three cases outride 

 of the State. Reports are no longer accepted from these individuals. 

 If it is found in the future that false reports are made on these in- 

 spections, the inspector will not only be dropped, but he will also 

 be prosecuted for perjury. 



DAIRY HERD INSPECTION. A movement of considerable mag- 

 nitude is now on foot in many states for the improvement of the 

 milk supply of cities. This movement is supported by departments 

 and boards of health, by the medical profession and by the producers 

 of high grade milk. Many proposals have been made, and particu- 

 larly in is'ew York State, as to the best method for handling this sub- 

 ject. Most of the proposals involve the establishment of sanitary 

 regulations of such high standard as to involve considerable extra 

 expense to dairymen and considerable increase in the cost of milk 

 production. Unfortunately, these plans do not include any provis- 

 ion for a higher price for the milk as sold by the farmer. 



It is important that dairymen shall know and realize the extent of 

 this movement. It bids fair, in the near future, to lead to the es- 

 tablishment of additional requirements on milk buyers and vendors. 

 It is important that the wliole question shall be very thoroughly stud- 

 ied and that the movement shall be directed in useful and equitable 

 lines so that unnecessary and unfair burdens shall not be placed on 

 the farmer. 



Sanitarians will find that milk producers are willing to meet them 

 half way, and that they will take such precautions as are proven to 

 be necessary, so far as is possible in consideration of the price paid 

 by dealers for milk. It is well known that there are some dairy 

 farms that are not equipped or managed in such a way as to produce 

 wholesome milk. The continuation of such conditions is deplored 

 quite as much by milk producers of the better class as by the sani- 

 tary authorities of cities. Such undesirable farms tend to diminish 

 confidence in milk and to injure the market and it is decidedly to the 

 business advantage of producers that these bad spots shall be ira- 



