asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state whether it is his intention to propose any preventive measures, through his veterinary department, against the disease known as "starts," which is prevalent in cows and heifers during late summer season, and renders them useless even for sale as beef.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISEASE IN COWS.
Mr. HOGAN
The disease referred to is dealt with in an advisory memorandum issued by the Department to all inquirers in regard to it. I am sending the Deputy a copy of the memorandum.
Does that memorandum take into account the necessity for prevention instead of cure?
Mr. HOGAN
I do not understand the Deputy.
The point that I want to make is this: is it not better to try to find some means of preventing these diseases from arising than to be devoting attention to getting remedies to cure them when they do arise?
Mr. HOGAN
It is, certainly. This is really an injury to a cow's udder, which might be caused by a thousand and one things. Every farmer knows that it might be caused by a knock. It is contagious—can be taken by one cow from another; it may be caused by dirty or careless milking, and so on. There is no occasion for the Department to do any propaganda in regard to prevention. People know how to prevent it, but they are not quite clear as to how to treat it when it does occur. Instructions have been given to all our officials throughout the country, and they are in a position to advise any farmer.
The Minister still does not understand. That particular disease does not arise from an injury. In the generality of cases it arises from other causes. It may be caused by fly, but it does not arise from an injury.
Mr. HOGAN
Doctors differ and patients die.