No. 4.] REPORT OF CATTLE BUREAU. 287 



stations all cattle imported into the country, and tests all 

 except those from the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, 

 where tuberculosis is unknown. The United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture now has regulations to protect the 

 northern States from the introduction of Texas fever from 

 districts in the south, where it prevails ; it seems perfectly 

 proper, therefore, that it should protect one State against 

 the introduction of bovine tuberculosis from an adjoining 

 State. If this could be brought about, much dishonesty, 

 annoyance and expense to States requiring a tuberculin test 

 upon cattle brought into them would be abolished. 



If healthy cattle to be sold into herds where tuberculosis 

 exists could only be immunized in some way, so that after 

 being tested they would remain free of the disease, it would 

 be of the greatest value, and save the State from paying for 

 many cows that it now remunerates owners for after being 

 owned in this Commonwealth two or three years. This 

 question is now exciting much interest in Europe and this 

 country, and it is hoped that in time some practical method 

 of conferring upon animals immunity from bovine tubercu- 

 losis may be discovered. 



The tltird section, of the work for the suppression of tuber- 

 culosis among cattle consists in testing entire herds for own- 

 ers who wish to eradicate the disease from their stables, and 

 are willing to thoroughly disinfect their premises and agree 

 to buy only tested animals in the future. Owing to the 

 expense of this work, none has been undertaken except for 

 owners who were willing to bear part of the burden . Cattle 

 have been tested free of expense to the owner, with the 

 understanding that all reacting animals were to be killed, 

 and that the State would pay for the badly diseased only, 

 he agreeing; to take what the butcher would allow him for 

 those that passed a slaughter-house inspection as fit for beef. 

 Even under these onerous conditions, a number of herds 

 have been tested ; and towards the end of the year the 

 requests of two or three OAvners to have their herds tested 

 were refused, because of insufficient funds for such Avork. 

 Undoubtedly more could be done in this direction if more 

 money was available for the purpose. 



