1891.1 PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 4. 411 



Under such conditions it is not a matter of surprise that intelli- 

 gent city residents should demand that some safeguard be thrown 

 around their food supply, and especially that some guarantee be 

 given that the milk that they buy for their children shall not be 

 loaded with the germs of some fatal disease. 



The original statute for the suppression of contagions diseases 

 among animals was enacted for the special purpose of stamping 

 out contagious pleuro-pneumonia among cattle, — a disease that 

 can only be effectually exterminated by killing not only all 

 diseased animals, but also all that may have been exposed to the 

 disease ; and it was but simple justice, when the latter class were 

 seized for destruction, that they should be paid for by the public at 

 a fair rate. 



Diseases like glanders in horses, cholera in swine and scab in 

 sheep do not call for the killing of all exposed animals ; and, as no 

 animal suffering from a loathsome disease is salable for human 

 food, it is obviously unwise and unjust to require the public to bear 

 a loss for which individuals may be chiefly or wholly responsible . 

 Tuberculosis in cattle, like glanders in horses, is a disease to be 

 treated by the " weeding-out " process; and, the sooner a sus- 

 pected animal is removed from its fellows, the better for all 

 concerned. 



Rule 7. In accordance with the spirit and intent of the fore- 

 going, in all cases of suspected tuberculosis among cattle, coming 

 to your notice, you will hereafter instruct owners to cause the 

 separation of their suspected animals from the remainder of the 

 herd, and cause their isolation, and allow the unsuspected animals 

 to be managed in all respects as if no disease had been present. 



The intent of the statute under which the Cattle Commission 

 was created was the suppression of contagious diseases in the 

 interest of animal owners, rather than the protection of consumers 

 against the use of unwholesome animal products. Chapter 58 of 

 the Public Statutes provides specially for the appointment by the 

 selectmen of towns and mayor and aldermen of cities of inspectors 

 of provisions ; but such inspectors cannot be legally appointed 

 until the town or city accepts the provisions of said chapter. 



An inspector of provisions has the power to enter any build- 

 ing or premises for the examination of all kinds of food offered 

 or kept for sale ; and, with the increasing interest and anxiety 

 felt by the public as to the wholesomeness of the milk, meat and 

 other foods purchased in open markets, the Cattle Commissioners 

 feel justified in urgently calling the attention of boards of health to 

 the matter, and requesting them — if it has not already been done 

 — to see that there is an article inserted in the warrant for the next 



