194 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Dr. Osgood. I just stated that, of those examined in 

 private herds by voluntary request, about 26 per cent were 

 diseased. Of those examined that had been quarantined by 

 local inspectors, 50 per cent were diseased. 



Mr. Bradley. Considering your experience in the mat- 

 ter, can you make an estimate of the per cent of cattle that 

 have been examined ? 



Dr. Osgood. I think I could, if I took time enough and 

 sat down with my arithmetic. 



Mr. Bradley. The reason I asked was because there 

 are those who are against the operations of the Cattle 

 Commission. 



Dr. Osgood. I think enough of the farmers have had 

 practical experience to know that there is plenty of the 

 disease, without doubt. 



Mr. Tucker. What per cent of the cattle in Massachu- 

 setts are diseased to-day ? 



Dr. Osgood. I do not like to go on record as guessing. 

 We would have to figure by counties. Our work on the 

 Cape showed very conclusively that there is little if any 

 tuberculosis in that region. How far from the sea that con- 

 dition extends we do not know. If you want to know the 

 per cent in Worcester County, or Hampshire, Franklin or 

 Berkshire County, we could give a pretty good estimate 

 right now, from the records we have in the office. 



Dr. Lindsey (of Amherst). There is one point I want 

 to bring out. I notice that under this new law the farmer 

 makes an application to have his cattle tested, and he has 

 his herd tested by the Cattle Commission ; and, so far as I 

 am aware, he is not compelled to do anything to cleanse his 

 barns and stables. I think that, where the inspection has 

 been carried out, the Cattle Commission should insist that 

 the farmer should cleanse his stable. It seems to me it is a 

 very important consideration. 



Dr. Osgood. I think that is done under the supervision 

 of the commissioner who has in charge the cleaning up of 

 the herds. Before we examine any herd, the owner signs 

 what we call a voluntary request blank, and agrees to 

 observe all sanitary requirements of the Board, and also 

 that he will not introduce another animal into his herd until 



