No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 507 



written request. Such a method will diminish the risk of 

 transmission of the disease to the human family, through the 

 milk, by the destruction of just as many animals as are found 

 to be diseased, and undoubtedly will to a great extent, in cer- 

 tain localities, result in the suppression of the disease. It can- 

 not for a moment, however, be considered as adequate, if we 

 hope or desire to eradicate tuberculosis. No plan can do that 

 which does not eliminate every diseased animal and thoroughly 

 disinfect the premises which have been inhabited by it ; and, 

 just so long as tuberculous animals are left within the State, 

 such animals will act as a menace to others with which they 

 may at any time be brought in contact, and may in this way 

 constantly create new sources of contagion. 



It may be argued that, by cleaning up herds upon voluntary 

 request, the commission is doing in a small way what is being 

 done on a large scale by systematic examination ; but after 

 these herds are examined it is impossible to practically quar- 

 antine them against the introduction of new sources of conta- 

 gion. Such animals are during a considerable portion of the 

 year turned out to pasture, where they may come in contact 

 with animals in adjoining pastures which have not been sub- 

 jected to the test, and thus the disease may re-enter the herd. 

 Again, while the owner may in most cases have an interest in 

 protecting his herd, cases are likely to arise where, under 

 special pressure, he may introduce untested animals, which 

 may and probably will result in the reinfection of the herd. 

 As a question of ultimate policy, looking to the eradication of 

 the disease, the commission has not changed its view, as here- 

 tofore expressed, that no method can be devised to accomplish 

 this except one which is based upon a thorough systematic 

 examination, with tuberculin, of all animals within the State, 

 the thorough disinfection of all premises where the animals 

 have been, and stringent quarantine restrictions against the 

 introduction of untested animals. 



On the other hand, for the present there is no doubt that the 

 examination of herds upon voluntary request is a great benefit 

 to the agricultural community, and to the public who are the 

 consumers of their product. It is impossible for the commis- 

 sion, with the assistance which it is able to get, and with the 

 appropriation which has been or is likely to be made, to do 



