112 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



tions and inspections, diseased animals moved from one 

 State to another. The shipment of cattle from Eastern and 

 Northern States to the South, with the exception of dairy- 

 herds near the larger cities, did not commence until prog- 

 ress had been made in the eradication of the cattle tick. 

 Therefore there is probably less tuberculosis among the 

 herds of the Southern States than in any other part of the 

 Nation. This favorable condition should be taken advan- 

 tage of, for in all probability the live-stock industry will 

 reach a high development in that area in future years. It 

 is especially important that the herds of the Southern States 

 be protected by permitting only tuberculosis-fee animals to 

 enter. 



How the Disease Spreads in a Herd. 



The tuberculosis cow is the greatest source of danger 

 to healthy cattle. Any reacting cattle not promptly re- 

 moved from the herd constitute a source of constant infec- 

 tion. 



Tuberculous cattle, sooner or later, begin to give off 

 the germs of the disease. These germs escape by the 

 mouth, nose, and bowels, in the milk, and other discharges. 

 The discharged germs are carried in the air for a time until 

 they fall to the ground. 



Animals in adjoining stalls may take in the germs in 

 the feed they eat and thus contract the disease. Continuous 

 water troughs in barns containing diseased cattle are a 

 source of danger.* Drinking holes containing material from 

 infected animals are likewise dangerous. 



Failure to clean and disinfect the premises occupied by 

 the diseased cattle constitutes another source of danger. 

 Infected milking tubes and the practice of feeding calves 

 with raw milk from tuberculous cows are other means by 

 which tuberculosis spreads in a herd. 



Losses of Meat Food Products. 



Records kept by the Meat Inspection Division of the 

 bureau show the great financial loss caused by tuberculosis 

 every year. They also indicate how widespread tubercu- 



