NEW YORK MILK COMMITTEE 37 



as determined by the tuberculin test, but which appear to be sound 

 and free from disease. 



Now, it has been our experience, in the examination of a large 

 number of animals single examinations and in the repeated ex- 

 aminations of the milk and feces and sputum of a few animals, 

 that the number of animals that are eliminating tubercle bacilli 

 in their milk, and are yet free from evidence or symptoms of the 

 disease is very small indeed. 



Now, while I do not believe that the physical examinations will 

 eliminate all of this danger, I do feel that we have sufficient grounds 

 to warrant the statement that if we could have frequent and re- 

 peated thorough physical examinations by skilled veterinarians, of 

 the cows producing the milk for our cities, and specious animals 

 were eliminated until the diagnosis was positively made, we would 

 minimize the amount of bovine tuberculosis that exists and it is this 

 one point that I wish to bring to your consideration. 



As to the question of other diseases of cattle, the germs of which 

 are transmitted in the milk, they are practically negligible. 

 Anthrax is perhaps the only one that we have seriously to con- 

 sider, and that exists in such a small number of places and to such 

 a very slight extent that it need not be considered. So I think, 

 Mr. Chairman, that if we can take into account the serious propo- 

 sition of providing some way by which the dairy herds can be 

 carefully and frequently examined, and animals in which evidence 

 of disease can be detected in the udders, in the lungs and in the 

 intestines and the uterus, by the best methods that we have at the 

 present time, and those animals eliminated, we will minimize the 

 danger, and, by the continuation of this method, we will continue 

 to have constantly better milk. 



THE CHAIRMAN: I wish we had time to have another hour of 

 that. That was along lines that we need to know about. 



We have in the room (although, being old, I can't locate him) 

 the Commissioner of Agriculture of New York State. If more 

 farmers and dairymen had a chance to vote for him, they would 

 make him Commissioner of Agriculture for the next twelve years. 

 We want him to come forward and tell us something about milk 

 in New York State. He needs no introduction; nobody need even 

 mention his name. Mr. Pearson, of Albany. 



MR. PEARSON spoke as follows: 



Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen: The subject that 

 we are considering is one of tremendous importance. I have given 

 a large part of my life to the study of it, and to-day I am endeav- 



