378 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



cases this is examined and checked by the commission, the ex- 

 istence of the disease being always determined hy it, and the 

 condemnation order issued by some one of its members. 



Brighton and Watertown. 



The Board, as a part of this systematic endeavor to stamp 

 out tuberculosis in the State, has also undertaken to regulate 

 the sale of neat stock brought within its limits, so as to insure, 

 as far as circumstances permit, that such cattle are free from 

 tuberculosis. 



The animals which are brought into this State for sale are 

 delivered here in two w^ays ; a majority of them, in the opinion 

 of the Board, are brought in by the several transportation lines, 

 the larger proportion being delivered at the markets at Water- 

 town and Brighton. In addition to these there are, of course, 

 a consideral)le number of cattle driven into the State on the 

 hoof, to be delivered at various points, concerning which, up 

 to November 25, there were no records. 



As far back as 1892 this Board were in receipt of frequent 

 reports that neat stock brought to the Brighton and Watertown 

 markets for sale within a very short time thereafter showed 

 themselves to be tuberculous, and so, worthless for beef or dairy 

 purposes ; although it w^as claimed that the buyers of this stock 

 had paid good prices, and had endeavored, as far as circum- 

 stances would permit, to ascertain their soundness before sale. 

 The Board was requested to examine into the matter, and ascer- 

 tain if it was not possible for them to establish some system for 

 the protection of those desiring to buy such stock, so that they 

 might be assured, as far as possible, that the stock so purchased 

 by them in this market was free from tuberculosis. The Board, 

 recognizing the reasonableness of this request and the impor- 

 tance of the work, has made every possible endeavor to assure 

 the health of the animals sold at these markets. The matter 

 was referred to in the report filed by this commission last year ; 

 and again the commission desire to state that thc}^ have been 

 greatly assisted by the hearty co-operation of the Board of 

 Health of the city of Boston and the town of Watertown. 



Prior to the report of last year, both of these boards appointed 

 a special inspector, to be at these markets and examine all cattle 

 offered for sale thereat. In addition to this, at the request of 



