224 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



is found in hogs more largely in the dairy districts. Of course, 

 the disease is not confined to the dairy herds ; in fact, it is found to 

 fully as large degree in beef herds; but I think if we can adopt 

 some policy that we could eradicate the disease from cattle that the 

 matter of disease in hogs, the seriousness of the disease in hogs, 

 will largely disappear, for the average life of a hog is so short and 

 they are so constantly changing on the farm, that if the cattle 

 were free I think the disease would soon disappear from the hogs. 



Mr. St. John: I heartity concur Avith the Governor's resolu- 

 tion, but as I understand the question of legislation from the Gov- 

 ernor's remarks, of course, it is absolutely necessary to destroy the 

 animals. I have given that some thought a good many years. 

 Knowing some cases where it would be a hardship among the 

 farmers, I believe it is just so far as my judgment goes, and believe 

 there should be some legislation along that line. I don't believe 

 you will ever stamp out tuberculosis in this state until some such 

 law is enacted, for this reason — I. know of people who have herds 

 of pure bred cattle, and being convinced that tuberculosis is prev- 

 alent in the herds, simply keep quite, for no man knows this except 

 the man who cares for them, until he not only makes a great 

 damage for the state at large but also to himself; and I do not 

 believe the state will be successful in stamping out the disease until 

 some law is enacted to warrant the farmer to take hold of it and 

 he will so notify the authorities and see that his herd is all right. 

 I believe in saving all I could of them, but I do not understand the 

 Governor to make wholesale slaughter. 



Mr. Packard: ^ly remarks suggested two or three ways of 

 reaching it. First, one to demand that the cows be inspected; 

 second, that the packers have recourse against the seller ; and third, 

 if you do not like either of these two, would you be suited Avith one 

 which would authorize the state veterinarian to have authority 

 wherever it was brought to his notice that there was an infected 

 herd to enter and destroy those that in his judgment were past 

 cure? That would not mean to destroy any but those reacting. 



]\Ir. Curtiss: The matter of legislation along this line is a 

 pretty large subject, and this involves a matter of so much impor- 

 tance to the live stock and agricultural interests of the state that it 

 will have to be approached with a good deal of careful considera- 

 tion. There is one difficulty with the method which you suggest, 

 Governor, and that is that there is no means of detecting, except 

 in the most advanced stages of the disease, the degree to which 



