64 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



slightly tuberculous to rid them of disease before it is too late. 

 For the protection of the human family and other herds of cattle, 

 those herds which are already rotten with tuberculosis should be 

 put out of existence. Above all, the dairymen of this State are 

 alive to the situation. They have shown a most commendable de- 

 sire to co-operate with the State in the eradication of tuberculosis 

 from their herds. They have shown a willingness to do everything 

 in their power to protect the health of their own cattle, the reputa- 

 tion of the dairy industry, and the human family from one of the 

 most prolific sources of infection of the Great White Plague. 



A thorough study of the dairy situation in this State leads me 

 to believe that the veterinary department should be provided with 

 funds to employ capable men for the purpose of testing any dairy 

 herd when requested to do so by its owner. It is plainly the duty 

 of the State, when such work is carried on for the public good, to 

 pay a part of the loss on account of cattle that are found diseased 

 and condemned. The law of the State should be amended so as 

 to provide for the payment of a small indemnity for condemned 

 cattle, and for their shipment, under suitable restrictions, to 

 slaughtering plants having meat inspection. An appropriation 

 should be made for the State Veterinary Department sufficient to 

 enable it to employ men to make the tests of dairy herds as fast as 

 the calls for the tests are received. An appropriation should also 

 be made for the prompt payment of the indemnity granted by the 

 State. Under these conditions we have the assurance that the ap- 

 plications for these tests will be as numerous as any force of men 

 which the State is liable to provide will be able to answer. The 

 practice of granting indemnity and allowing the shipment of con- 

 demned tuberculous cattle, recommended, is followed in all states 

 and countries which attempt to control tuberculosis. Such ship- 

 ment is considered safe by the most eminent scientists. Granting 

 indemnity by the State is especially intended to benefit the poor 

 dairyman who has his whole fortune invested in a few head of 

 cows. Now and then all the cows belonging to one of this class 

 are found tuberculous and when they are condemned, their owner 

 is left penniless. The uncertainty as to upon whom such ill luck will 

 fall has heretofore made all of the poorer class of dairymen afraid 

 of the test. The wealthy dairymen who are able to stand the loss 

 of diseased cattle, are going ahead of their own accord, and clean- 

 ing up their herds. Unless the State comes to the assistance of 

 the poorer class, the dairy business will tend to drift into the hands 

 of the wealthy people. 



