18 Commission Report: Tuberculosis. 
been had, there is a strong under current of conviction that all 
this talk about the disease is an interested plea of the veterina- 
rians, that the trouble does not amount to much if the doctors and 
editors would hold their tongues and pens. 
Just as long as this bank of fog exists, it will control all legis- 
lation and individual effort, to get rid of the difficulty. At 
the bottom of the matter is a wide spread ignorance on the 
part of farmers as to the danger that threatens them; it is difficult 
to arouse them out of their conservation, for as yet, all they know 
about it is talk. 
The conservatism of intelligence is vastly different from that 
which exists because of a lack of knowledge. The first demands 
more light; the latter dreads light. 
From what I have seen in Wisconsin, I am convinced that the 
most powerful aid to that action against the disease which this 
Commission is so anxious to bring about, is public demonstration. 
One animal slaughtered before a body of farmers, and the diseased 
parts exposed to their plain view, is worth more to foster convic- 
tion and inspire effort than anything else that can be done. If 
the federal and state governments would devote means for 
this demonstration work, it would prove a most powerful educator. 
Public agitation, in farmers’ gatherings, and the talk of the Agri- 
cultural Press is useful mainly, in keeping alive an interest in 
the subject. But gentlemen, we must remember that with the 
majority of men, a large majority,—‘‘Seeing is believing”. 
I believe therefore, that this Commission should use its influence 
in urging legislation by municipalities, and state and national 
legislatures for the spread and support of this demonstration work. 
Great care must be exercised, however, to select only such animals 
as will amply show forth the ravages of the disease. The great 
progress we have made in legislation in Wisconsin, and in secur- 
ing wide spread acquiescence in the use of the tuberculin test, 
would never have come had it not been for a large number of 
public demonstrations held in various parts of the state. 
We have gone as far as this in legislation: After December Ts 
be tuberolin tested. ‘This, I beleve, ee aes arpoess st et 
. , » 1s a step further in advance 
than has been taken by any other state. It shows well the to 
and temper of our farmers and the work which has been done - 
acquaint them with a true understanding of the situation, It i 
needless for me to say that if they are for the law, or “_ oe 
