A PURE MILK SUPPLY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—In your issue of December 23rd you state that "in view of the fundamental importance of a pure milk supply the Ministry of Northern Ireland has done well to carry out a prolonged test of Dr. Spahlinger's Bovine Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine" as the results would "appear to justify it."
The Ministry has just issued its interim report in which it claims that so far the results of the experiments made have been satisfactory, and this report has been rightly spoken of in the Press as being of great public, as well as agricultural, interest. In order that this prolonged test should be made, I understand that the Government of Northern Ireland voted a sum of 110,000 out of public funds ; therefore it is only right that the public should know that there is another aspect of the experi- ments which has to be considered, namely-, that of the suffering of the animals involved.
In last July in consequence of complaints received, and much distress being caused to many members of the public by the terrible condition of the animals, our Lisburn Circuit Inspector was sent to see the animals which were being treated at the Ministry's Research Farm at Hillsborough, Co. Down. He reported as follows :
"I found a black bullock about I year oil lying in a field in an emaciated and exhausted condition. It was moaning and apparently suffering great pain. I tried to get it to stand up, but failed. This animal is suffering pain 'both from weakness in consequence of the disease and starvation as it is unable to graze and also unable to take any kind of food except an occasional drink of water."
A later report is as follows :
" I Saw 20 head of cattle, some of which appeared to he in it wasting condition, and in a field on the opposite side of the avenue were 5 cattle, 2 of which were in a very weak condition but able to move about. The other 3 were lying down, moaning and opening their mouths, putting out their tongues and gasping for breath, and, in my opinion,- metering great :pain. I have been informed that at least 5 animals have died in similar circumstances."
It does not require a very lively imagination to visualise the terrible plight to which animals innoeulated with the disease have been reduced, as unfortunately it appears to be essential for the success of the experiments that death should not take place before the very last stages of the disease have been reached.
I have not the scientific knowledge to enable me to make comments on this particular form of research work; save that experience shows the ultimate failure of attempts at inununiz- ing cattle against tuberculosis. It suggests that the utmost caution is needed in the appraisement of the claims of bacteri- ology. I can only point out that in connexion with this form of research intense suffering is inflicted on animals, and to express the hope that the Ministry of Northern Ireland is satisfied with the result of its investigations and will bring to an end these experiments with as little delay as possible. It would also be of public interest to know what steps have. been taken by the Ministry to ensure that animals on forums adjacent to that on which these experiments are being carried out, are rendered safe from infection and that water is free from .pollution.—I am, Sir, Ste.,
JOSEPMNE DOWNER, Honorary Secretary, Lisburn Branch, Ulster S.P.C.A,
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