•'■ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/annualreportofc1919mass Public Document No. 98 3 EIGHTH ANNUAL KEPOKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY For the Year ending November 30, 1919 d- BOSTON WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS 32 DERNE STREET 1920 Publication of this Document approved by the Supervisor of Administration. Ql\)t Commonroealtl) oi ifta50acl)xi£ettB Depaetmext of Axtmal Ixdustey, Bostox, Xov. 30, 1919. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives. In accordance with the provisions of section 4, chapter 608, Acts of 1912, I have the honor, as Commissioner of Animal In- dustry, to present the following report of the Department's work for the year ending Nov. 30, 1919; The Department of Animal Industry is charged with the duty of inspection and examination of animals within the Com- monwealth; the quarantining and killing when necessary of animals affected with, or which have been exposed to, con- tagious disease; the burial or other disposal of their carcasses; the cleansing and disinfection of districts, buildings or places where contagion exists or has existed. It is also charged with the duty of tuberculin testing all neat cattle shipped from other States to Massachusetts, unless the same are intended for im- mediate slaughter or are accompanied by a record of test made by a veterinarian approved by the live-stock official of the State from which they are shipped and by officials of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, and which record is accepted by the Commissioner on arrival of the animals. The maintenance of health of the live stock of the State bears an- important relation to the preservation of the public health, to proper fertilization of the soil, to successful dairying, to the conservation of all kinds of animal food used for human con- sumption, and to the business of propagating, feeding and mar- keting cattle, sheep and swine and also marketing their by- products, such as leather, wool, fats, fertilizers, and many other important articles of commerce. Health of live stock is so indispensable to all of these projects that the prevention and limitation of contagious diseases among them becomes an important public work which not only directly affects the economic success of live-stock owners but more or less directly influences the welfare and material prosperity of 4 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. every individual. Our work auxiliary to that of the State De- partment of Health in preservation of the public health lies in the suppression of such animal diseases as are communicable to the human subject, namely, glanders, tuberculosis, rabies, anthrax, actinomycosis, etc. Any one of these diseases may be transmitted to the human subject if circumstances favorable to such transmission are present; and as the majority of them are rapidly fatal to the human being, their prevention, control or eradication from the animal kingdom forms a most impor- tant part of our duties. Fertility of the soil is so dependent upon the keeping of live stock that general crop production is found to be in direct ratio to the number of animals produced, raised and maintained upon the farms. Their numbers are in turn largely increased if the prevalence of contagious disease among them is effectively con- trolled or entirely eliminated. Healthy animals return to their owners a far better revenue on the investment of time, labor and capital expended in their upkeep than do those among which disease prevails in any form or in any degree of intensity or extent, and the difference in the revenue from the two classes is so great that there is no question as to the true economy of raising and maintaining only live stock which can be kept free from disease. The dependence of the public upon domestic animals for food material as represented not only by dairy products but by the meat value of their carcasses if found healthy at time of slaughter indicates another necessity for the limitation of con- tagion among them as far as possible. The carcasses of many thousands of animals are annually condemned by Federal au- thorities in .the abattoirs of the whole country on account of the presence of lesions of contagious disease to such an extent as to render them unfit for human consumption. The statistics for Massachusetts alone are not available, but they no doubt are of practically the same significance as are those of the coun- try as a whole. It is an economic necessity of the nation that this great waste be reduced. Progress in this direction is yearly increasing through the active co-operation of Federal, State and municipal authorities and the veterinary profession in the effort for elimination of animal diseases. It is affected and influenced proportionately as it is encouraged by attention of the public 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 5 to prevailing conditions and the more general recognition of the necessity for this improvement. In this work toward reduction of the great waste of animal food products caused by the prevalence of contagious disease, and which work is necessarily of national scope, Massachusetts yields to no other State in its efforts in co-operation with every other agency operating to the same purpose. In accordance with the provisions of chapter 189, General Acts of 1918, this report will consist of a brief summary of the year's work of the Department, illustrated by charts showing the control work of recent years of some of the principal contagious diseases of animals. These charts will probably be of considera- ble interest to those who have been familiar with the workings of this Department during a period of years. They show the progress of the control work during different periods, and sum- marize the success of such policies as have been pursued for a length of time sufficient to conclusively prove the wisdom of their inauguration. Following is a gross summary of the work of the Department for the year ending Nov. 30, 1919: — Cattle. 13,163 Massachusetts cattle were physically examined by Department agents. 774 Massachusetts cattle were tuberculin tested by Department veterinarians. 10,993 Interstate cattle were tuberculin tested by Department veteri- narians. 1,202 Animals on 148 farms in 47 towns were given preventive treatment against blackleg. 128 Animals on 8 farms in 5 towns»were given preventive treatment against anthrax. 52 Animals on 8 farms in 7 towns were given preventive treatment against hemorrhagic septicemia. 2,097 Visits to unsanitary premises were made by district veterinarians. Horses. 303 Tests for glanders were made by Department veterinarians. 4,125 Interstate horses were examined by Department veterinarians. 7 Tests of whole stables were made by Department veterinarians. Dogs. 391 Cases of possible rabies in dogs were investigated. 6 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Swine. 68,075 Head of swine were treated in prevention and cure of hog cholera. 16,180 Head of swine were treated in prevention and cure of hemorrhagic septicemia. Miscellaneous Diseases. 276 Cases of miscellaneous diseases were investigated by Department veterinarians. Bovine Tuberculosis. Although the records of the Department show a favorable condition as to the prevalence of this disease in the State, we nevertheless feel that its control is a serious problem and that every additional effort possible should be made which promises any greater success in this direction. Widely prevalent in all parts of the world, it is, however, in the densely populated areas of the country, where intensive dairying is carried on and where the conditions most favorable for its existence and spread among cattle and to the human subject are found, that its greatest prevalence is noted. Statistics do not show that Massachusetts cattle are more generally affected than are those of other States in which similar conditions of environment exist. On the other hand, it is prob- able that if a correct survey could be made the percentage of cases in our herds would be found to be smaller than in many other States where active control work has not been given atten- tion for as long a period as has been the case in Massachusetts. The general policy which has been pursued by the Depart- ment in this work for the past three years is still in operation. This policy briefly stated is as follows: Tuberculin testing of all cattle arriving in Massachusetts from other States not accom- panied by approved records of test, followed by slaughter of the reacting animals; annual examination by local inspectors of animals of all Massachusetts cattle and the premises on which they are kept, with a detailed report as to the health of the animals and the sanitary condition of the premises; quarantine of all animals suspected of being diseased, followed by an ex- amination by a Department inspector not only of the suspected animal but of all other members of the herd in which it is found, with the slaughter of such as are found diseased; dis- 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 7 infection of the premises where diseased animals are found and a " follow-up" examination of the herd three months later; the same process of disinfection and re-examination of herd again carried out if additional cases are found; tuberculin testing of herds at request of the owners, under an agreement as to the disposal of the reacting animals. In our opinion the present Massachusetts plan of searching out and disposing of clinical cases of tuberculosis, thereby re- moving the most active spreaders of the disease, is one of the most effective methods by which progress in its actual control is accomplished. The diagnostic value of the tuberculin test, carefully applied by competent . men, is very generally recog- nized; it should be taken advantage of at every opportunity for the purpose of disclosing the non-clinical cases. Although not infallible even in the hands of most competent and careful veterinarians, satisfactory control of the prevalence of tuber- culosis among our neat cattle is not possible without its aid. Another factor now entering into the control of this disease is the movement inaugurated two years ago by the United States Department of Agriculture, and now in operation in forty-four States of the Union, known as the "accredited herd plan in eradication of tuberculosis." It provides for the ap- plication of the tuberculin test by the United States Bureau of Animal Industry in co-operation with live-stock officials of the several States. The movement at first limited the application of the test to herds of pure-bred animals, from which springs the foundation live stock of the country, but it has now been extended to include the herds of grade animals. To such herd owners as agree to fulfill certain requirements laid down by the Federal and State officials relating to the con- trol, keeping and replenishment of their herds, and whose cattle all pass two annual or three semiannual tuberculin tests, is accorded the privilege of having their herds listed in what is known as the "accredited tuberculosis-free herd list," published by the United States Department of Agriculture in a large edi- tion and widely distributed. The health of a herd and its freedom from tuberculosis being thus extensively advertised by the means of an official publica- tion operates as a decided business advantage to the owner who 8 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. has animals for sale, establishing for them a materially ad- vanced market value. This accredited list is also of great ad- vantage to purchasers, and especially to those who, having eliminated tuberculosis from their own herds, prefer to pur- chase only such animals as come from herds which are officially certified as free from that disease. Although Massachusetts owners have not yet applied for this test in any great number, indications are that the movement is surely gaining in popularity, and that this service by Federal and State officials, rendered at no expense to the cattle owner, will finally be generally taken advantage of, and as a measure in the eradication of tuberculosis from Massachusetts herds cannot but be ultimately of great value. 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 9 — 01 O 1 r— — ; Si •«er o OJ cc ^ CO '^ "=r ■^r CJj to oO ^r r~ ti -, — ■«T — — CO 1 i rO 00 CVi N" 07 OJ OJ 0 «3J O «*C J O r~ f;a. OJ r~ c D r — CB oa no no 0 <= i— CO C3 ■ \l ->..' cc ':.l CVJ LO OC lO en a J~-< r<7 T r s — - — ■^r — ■ c •J ■ <* u "> ;' on TT" «.f5 cC cO r\J «£ on OO OO UJ cC o — OJ to CiJ CO '-■> "~~ OQ OS CD OJ -« ^r o in ec Lrt t^; »J-i m c* CD " C J •y ■=5r u> O, ~~ CiJ r U Z_) o? CJ c O , CO CO Ln 4 * G <3 ■-;,' ce? £ GO i— CO crs oa o _- . i Otr uc LO = <= <= cj: CD <= <^ c CJ c= o o G <= O 9 3 ax a _o 'm H? O t3 a SO m a .2 3 o h o o +> a> '•'fr oo ^ ^D CO CO OO OO r- e^jA la > q> LO cr __| ' lO r\J 1 M CE ■o o cs SI" Lrt Vi OO o> --to CO V.O CO CTj o LO< — 1 lO (XI to rn Uf loo — <*- <~: CCJ LO, B 1 cr fVll I 1 «*3 O CO oo LO \ *>> u o \ Lf-5 CD / L/^> O en r— / 1 1 — 1 o.! en CD CD \ CO \ 1 OC <*5 \ Lo o> <=J o o Os OS <~S <—< <3 CO <0 <3 OJ OS u-o LO O LO <2 Lrs O urz o Lo o <3 CJ3 03 oC OO i — <-a <^3 LO Lo T ^r CO en OJ CNJ — j — 22 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Boston Workhorse Relief Association, the Animal Rescue League, and the branches of these various associations in many cities and towns of the State have through their agents always been of material aid to the Department in the work of controlling this disease. Their close observation of working animals of all classes has in the past, when the disease was more prevalent, brought to light many showing suspicious symptoms, which they have promptly reported to this Depart- ment, and many of the animals so reported have proved to be positive cases of the disease. The constant activity of the humane societies in removing disabled animals from work and destroying those which, on account of extreme age or poor condition, are no longer useful has undoubtedly been a factor in the suppression of glanders, as such animals are very susceptible to infection. The maximum amount, fixed by chapter 646 of the Acts of 1913, which may be paid for any one animal condemned and destroyed on account of being affected with glanders being $50, the appraised value of the animals condemned is a subject of considerable interest. Of the 23 positive cases of glanders occurring during the year, 21 were appraised at a total valua- tion of $2,250, the average amount per animal being $107.14. On the remaining 2 animals no appraisal was made for the fol- lowing reasons: 1 of them was reported by a Tenderer and 1 died, the disease having been found on autopsy. Of the 21 horses which were appraised, 18 have been paid for, the amount paid being $900; in 1 case there was no award, as the horse had not been in the Commonwealth the required length of time; and 2 cases are awaiting the filing of claims for payment. Complement-fixation Test. Of the 7 horses under observation at the end of the year 1918, 3 were subjected to the complement-fixation test, with the result that they were released as probably free from the disease. One hundred and twenty-five samples of blood were taken from 101 horses during the year 1919, and the following dis- posal of the animals was made: — 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 23 Animals held over from 1918, disposed of as above, Animals released on first test, . Released on second test, .... Died or killed by owner after first test, . Died or killed by owner after second test, Condemned on first test, .... Condemned on second test, Condemned on third test, .... Held for further observation, . 3 63 12 3 1 9 1 1 101 Ophthalmic-mallein Test. This test has been applied to 152 State and 653 interstate horses during the year. It happens that the test in some in- stances was repeated on the same animals, and 831 such tests have been made. The results are as follows: — Tests giving positive reaction, . . 17 Tests giving no reaction, 793 Tests giving unsatisfactory results, 21 831 In the so-called "stable tests," or tests of all animals in stables where glanders has been found, 55 horses have been tested in 7 stables, and among them 1 case of glanders has been found. Interstate Horses. Horses, asses and mules shipped to Massachusetts from the States of New York, Newr Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island must be accompanied by a permit from the Commis- sioner of Animal Industry. This regulation was established on account of the prevalence of glanders among the horses of the States mentioned, and in order that upon arrival the animals might be immediately located and examined by agents of this Department. The number of horses, mules and asses shipped from these States has decreased from 4,425 in the year 1918 to 4,168 in the year ending Nov. 30, 1919, the statistics following: — 24 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Equine Animals from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Mules, 11 Horses, 4,157 4,168 Disposal of Above Animals. Released upon physical examination, 3,452 Released upon accompanying papers without examination, 43 Released after test, 673 4,168 It is worthy of notice that no interstate horses or mules were condemned this year as affected with glanders. Many of the animals brought from the above-mentioned States are of the better class, being highly bred horses used for carriage work and breeding purposes. The second-hand horses, which are trafficked in and sent from the markets of one State to those of another for purpose of public sale, have been specially watched on account of their being considered more liable to be subjects of contagious disease than the higher class animals, and if not accompanied by a satisfactory certificate of test have been tested on arrival by inspectors of the Department. Rabies. The control and eradication of this disease is one of the most important duties of the Department because of its communica- bility to man from the lower animals, its rapid spread if uncon- trolled, especially among dogs, and the extremely high rate of mortality which in all species follows its development. An outbreak in any locality, if it becomes at all extensive, is apt also to create more or less panic, especially if persons are bitten by any of the animals positively known at the time to be rabid, or which are subsequently proved to have been infected when the bite was inflicted. The measures necessarily taken to effect the control of an outbreak are also accompanied by much inconvenience, trouble and expense on the part of the public. In addition to the monetary loss caused by the death of valuable dogs and other animals found to be positive cases of the disease, the expense 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 25 of confinement and restraint of those exposed to it but found later not to have been infected is not inconsiderable. Our records show a gradually increasing prevalence of rabies during the past three years, which in our opinion is principally due to new centers of the contagion being established here by infected dogs coming from neighboring States where the dis- ease has raged extensively during that ' period. Its extension to Massachusetts has been felt to be inevitable owing to the facility by which it can be spread by roaming dogs. Many of these animals ordinarily kept under proper conditions may have become infected unbeknown to their owners, and, obeying what is commonly an early inclination in the development of the disease, may wander far away from home within a few hours even, and spread contagion widely before searched for by their owners. Such dogs are often never found by their owners. The ownerless or tramp dog is, however, a more important factor in spreading this contagion because no one pays any attention to his physical condition or his whereabouts, and in many localities no attempt is made to enforce the laws relating to him. He roams unrestricted and is a menace to the com- munity in many ways. Had it not been for the very thorough and efficient control work carried on by the authorities of the neighboring State of Connecticut, where rabies has extensively prevailed for the past three years and where several thousands of unlicensed dogs have been destroyed during that period, we would undoubtedly have been confronted with a much more serious condition than now exists. Our local inspectors of animals are familiar with the situa- tion, and those of border towns have been specially advised as to the value of early quarantine, thorough investigation and prompt reports in detail to the Department's office. If we can procure the co-operation of town and city officials, dog owners and the general public, an outbreak of rabies in any community can generally be suppressed before it becomes serious. With- out question, a better enforcement of our dog laws would materially assist in preventing the further spread of this con- tagion and operate to reduce its present prevalence in several communities. 26 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Following is a general outline of the Department's present methods in rabies control work : — Upon report being made to the Department that a person has been bitten by a dog, the inspector of animals of the town or city in which it occurs is ordered to make an examination of the animal, and, even if it appears to be healthy, to have it re- strained for a period of fourteen days for the purpose of obser- vation. The restraint for this length of time is deemed neces- sary for the reason that competent authorities have shown that in some instances the bite of a dog infected with rabies may communicate the infection fourteen days before the animal shows clinical symptoms. If at the end of this period no symp- toms of rabies have developed, the animal may be released. In case a person is bitten by a dog which, upon examination by the inspector of animals or any other person, shows evidence of already being affected with rabies, or there is a history of its having been in contact with a rabid animal, the dog in either case is immediately confined in strict quarantine. If it is sub- sequently killed or dies, its head is at once sent to the Depart- ment's office, and a laboratory examination of the brain is made for the purpose of positively determining whether or not the animal was affected with the disease. Information as to the laboratory findings is promptly communicated to the person or persons who have been bitten. The State Department of Health is given the information received in every case of dog bite reported to this office, whether the bite has been inflicted by an animal suspected of rabies or not. We also order the local inspector of animals not only to ascertain the names of all persons who have been bitten by dogs suspected of rabies but to find out if animals have also been bitten, and if so to place the same in quarantine for a period of at least ninety days. All dogs which are found to have been in contact with a rabid animal, whether or not it appears that they have been bitten by it, are also placed in quarantine for the same period. If an unusual number of cases of rabies is found to exist in any town or city, the selectmen or the mayor or board of alder- men are asked to issue a restraining order, under the provisions of section 158 of chapter 102 of the Revised Laws. Such an order obliges all dog owners to confine their animals to their 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. .27 own premises for a certain period, or take them therefrom only on leash. This restraining order is much more effective in the local control of an outbreak than is an order which compels owners to muzzle the animals only but not restrain them, as a muzzled animal let loose may in some way get the muzzle off and bite other animals or people. A muzzled dog at large may therefore become much more dangerous than an unmuzzled one which is at all times confined upon owner's premises or taken therefrom only on leash. Dogs found running at large while a restraining order issued by town or city authorities is in force may be killed on the issuance of a warrant for the same to a police officer. It was found advisable to ask for gen- eral restraining orders- in five towns of the Commonwealth during the past year. These orders were for periods of ninety days. Our force of district agents, all of whom are veterinarians and located in different parts of the State, together with the local inspectors of animals, of whom there is one or more in every city and town of the State, constitutes an organization by which systematic local control of an outbreak of this dis- ease can generally be accomplished within a reasonably short time. During the year ending Nov. 30, 1919, 408 animals were re- ported to the Department for diagnosis, observation or quaran- tine on account of the prevalence of rabies, and 9 were brought forward from the year 1918. The records have been classified as follows: — Animals suspected of rabies, 109 Animals exposed to rabies (4 reported in 1918, 174 in 1919), . . 178 Animals which have inflicted bites upon persons (5 reported in 1918, 125 in 1919), 130 Animals suspected of Rabies. t Dogs. Cattle. Cats. Diagnosis positive Diagnosis negative, Diagnosis questionable 89 13 4 1 1 1 28 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Of the 89 dogs classed as " diagnosis positive," 39 had bitten persons. Of the 4 cases classed as "diagnosis questionable," 1 dog was reported as being affected with rabies, but from description of symptoms and as head was not obtainable for examination it is not recorded as a positive case; 1 dog after showing symptoms indicating rabies disappeared and could not be located; 1 show- ing symptoms gave negative diagnosis to laboratory examina- tion; and the head of 1 animal arrived at laboratory in such a state of decomposition that examination could not be made. Animal ? exposed to Rabies. Dogs. Cattle. Cats. Pigs. Horses. Number released after a quarantine of 79 5 2 ninety days. Number killed, no symptoms having de- 34 - 2 - - veloped. Number killed, positive symptoms having 16 11 - 2 1 developed. Number still held under observation, 26 — — - — ;_ 3 Animals which have inflicted Bites upon Persons. Dogs. Number killed during quarantine, no symptoms having developed, . Number released after fourteen days' quarantine, .... Number still held under observation, 13 115 2 Nine animals which were under observation at the close of the year 1918 were released, no symptoms of rabies having developed. During the year we have received reports of 179 persons having been bitten by dogs. In all these cases the dogs have been immediately quarantined for observation, in accordance with our custom as previously referred to, except in those in- stances where the animals were immediately killed. Some of the quarantined dogs were killed by request of owners and others were killed on account of development of unmistakable symptoms of the disease. Of the 179 cases of dog bite, 131 of them were inflicted by dogs proved not to be affected with 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 29 rabies, 43 were inflicted by dogs proved to be positive cases of the disease, in 3 of the cases the laboratory diagnosis was question- able, and in 2 the dogs are now in quarantine for observation. There have been examined in the laboratory during the past year the brains of 86 dogs, 1 cat and 1 cow. Of this number, 63 dogs, 1 cat and 1 cow showed positive evidence of the disease; in 21 dogs the diagnosis was negative, and the brains of 2 dogs were so decomposed at the time of examination that no diagnosis could be made. Of the 408 animals reported for observation, diagnosis or quarantine, '27 were, as far as the Department could determine, unlicensed and ownerless dogs, 18 of which proved to be positive cases of the disease. The following table shows the number of positive cases of rabies by cities and towns : — City or Town. Dogs. Cattle. Horses. Pigs. Cats. Arlington 1 - - - - Attleboro, . 3 - - - - Berkley, 1 - - - - Brockton, . 8 - - - - Concord, 4 1 - - - Dartmouth, 1 - 1 - - Dighton, 3 - - - - Easton, 1 - - - Fall River, . 7 - - - - Fitchburg, . 1 - - - - Freetown, . 2 - - - - Groton, 1 - - - - Holden, 1 - - - - Lincoln, 2 - - - - Littleton, 1 - - - - Maynard, . 1 - - - - Middleborough, . 7 1 - - - Milton, 1 - - - - New Bedford, 15 - - - - Newton, 4 - - - 1 North Attleborough, 1 - - - - Northborough, . 1 - - - - Norton, 2 - - - - Raynham, . E 1 - - - - 30 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. 1 City or Town. Dogs. Cattle. Horses . Pigs. 1 Cats. Townsend, 5 1 1 5 1 1 5 8 1 1 3 2 1 3 7 - 1 1 - Totals, .... 105 12 1 2 1 - . One case of rabies developed in New York State, it later being shown that the animal had been exposed to the disease while in Massachusetts. One dog exposed in May developed the disease in November, with no evidence of additional ex- posure in the meantime. One case was proved to have been in contact with a herd of 12 cows, 10 of which developed the disease and were killed. Following is a chart showing the proved cases of rabies in the several species of animals covering the period from 1905 to 1919, inclusive. 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 31 03 ' , — In CO — — H § \ O an «f) - oo U-5 CO Oa £S\ r^ OJ 1 — \° _i if. "■"■ "3* csl ~ «r rpi %c _J. O 3 a <\j - evj OJ cU cz> o <£) — CV «3 l/J «3 Ijj o LjJ — — mm CD OJ cv ft! ec flfj < — a: oo A to «*3 00 in bo ^^ 1ft HI & CO — a no o LTDg V Ct, — . Ifl ^r r- -=75 OO ^ o «5 1— 10 r~ ^^ on ^T (O T CO <35 V rj r— ^S8*s^3 ^— r* r~ 1 CJ m |- CO «n ^^P > eQ ir» «r 03( oa o — O o O o O O O o < Q^ £■■» <3- ' ■ ' i CO o> ^ CO o ^c° IE en O — o 00 X to CD CD , or. ^h V. — — Xir: CD o o C3 CD G G o g g a o o U-3 C LO g LT3 o LO o lo o LO IT- -O -o U"2 lo -4- "^ cc CO Cs- (Nj — - 38 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. * oo • ^o o»- i— i 1— 1 O IO CM CM CO ^ tH tHJ CO i— i Th OS CM lO t> o> o tO CO T}H »* B cc CO 1> to to CT> iO CM y-i CO CO CM 1— 1 lO O • CO rC « <* « r-; co 7-1 i-H *3« (M OS t^ CM OO lO ^ ■* N ^ xP to 1> oo CM t^ CM rti to CM C^ CO CM oo tq_ • eo_ ^ ^ to" o tH 1H CM I-H Tt< t> CO CO (M t- O CO o o i—l "O tO ■* os TjH 1> T^ CO OS CM (O CM i-H 1> cq_ • eo tjT M co~ oo" CM t4 T— 1 i-i CM CM r^ l> o o o CO CM CO OS CM CM 1> id o CM • CM ui rH CM I-H CO N. 00 tH i— 1 ^ iH e> o to CO t4 I— 1 i-H o o 1 to 00 lO i— : O OS CM CM oo CD TJH OS to CM CD to rH tH to T3 © ft © pp 'p -H 03 H-3 © © HJ a © w © P +3 O H^ '3 .a 03 _ -r3 03 O ■^ rt © PI T3 -o 8 Fh +3 to © © +> © ts a ■ . 03 Fh ^3 Fh Fh ' CO £ © ■+3 © © p o -P CO s^x © -p © ©* 03 a p © a 03 © +3 'a 03 CO 03 +3 P <*> s g e 03 se admin: satment. reatment dminister eous trea herds, p 03 +3 "P a CO to 03 • a 3 O H-P -P W. m3- 03 ^ © HJ © P Fh Fh p-h +> o3 CO © © s © P O *tc CO a | e a S « These w t. the sim ed in infe 2 O . p SsO 03 H3 pP © • i-H pP +3 03 © Fh +3 a includi multam serum c 'P O a © 03 fcJO © a 03 © -p^ © © <4-H #P © +3 © © .a 3 Fh © CO pP © pP ft ■ reatments, oung for si olio wing " ■tments. treatmen following dminister p Fh © CO -p +3 © © pQ £ e £hh -= °3 O pP pQ pd CO Fh © pP ts -P ^^ © o o3 X!« © pP O -p3 a o O +3 P o only" ose too cholera neous t at time ? chole atment bJO^S" .a (=i t> © p2 Fh T3 © P q 73 © CO f "serum and to th from hog f simulta: healthy i from hoj er cent) . 2 ber of tre p-H © O ft H-H vCx Fh O a © Fh CO Fh © CO Fh © pP +3 © © <*H •-I pH -SpP CO M o3 © Fh O Fh 0) ,0 o rt Fh . ©T5 pQ •© o Fh © Fh o3."£ © c-^h ,D P 03 Number o parently Mortality herds (p Total num a ® P -^ w © — c © 3 a 3 a © P+^ a Num ani Mort -2 P o-rt O & £ 525 H i 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 39 o l> CO lO -* 1— 1 -* i> -* l> o i— i co oo CO <£> lO rH 00 00 l> »o CO I> r-T co' iO o O CO f^ CM -# 00 o" 1—1 CN i—i to CO t^ o l> 1—1 >o «# 1— 1 CO co" CO iO CO 1—1 OS OS CO GO oo o» co" i—i CN o 1—1 o CO CN i—l CO 1 ' co d p 5» 3 tS o o "§ <» J 6EI CO 3 ,S> o 0! e d cd +=> 3 a ^ CO 8 d S £ o o *^> | 3 "s «*H w T3 o .2 co" £ t3 d _o ■w rd "+3 pa CD e3 •c-a CO to g a Id 3 , 3 £2 T) fl oj M CD O 73 " 03 s^ a O 0) H >> S £ ° o u > OJ o3 > * L^ -d ft 73 £ So J 73 73 cj o a -a •5 o .5 ^ Cj tl a £ >> ft .2 02 73 "3 .2 2 -^ o += (3 >) 03 .-£ OJ OJ CO J3 O CS rj OJ 03 0J 00 O ^1 3 « 3 J) - * 03 f*> O g " j -^ 2 ^ ° ° a c <» i O g § ft g t3 ° G.2-: -a § o T3 as ^3 a =« -a . '1 co 0 oj .2 03 « 3 'c O O T3 .a j o ft x CD 03 73 J3 c3 ^ § GO" . s T3 > OJ OJ +3 o oj ss ' IS -° ft a ^3 - OJ t£j OJ . Tl rj CO M cc m c3 § .2 113 a 03 fe O OJ S? _ Tj A oj cl *•> 5! to eg o3 ,a ft „ CJ ia ft a ■% A +5 ft ft e o +3 _g a -3 S3 si CD ft 73 ,£3 CD 03 ft Si a a cd (J si a ^ M OJ 03 c_i - CD 73 -d o CJ OJ OJ OJ 3 8 £ d o .a ^?^ +3 _oj 0 OJ OJ 03 "ft 40 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. The preceding table shows that nearly 12,000 more treat- ments have been given to swine this year than in 1918 and in 157 more herds. With this greater number of animals treated, either in prevention or cure of hog cholera, it is significant that the number of herds found to be already infected at the time of treatment is 48 less than last year. This fact indicates the trend of the whole situation toward the desired objective of control of the disease. In explanation of the increasing mortality rate both in in- fected herds and in those apparently healthy, it should be said that it is due to the prevalence of hemorrhagic septicemia (re- ferred to later in this report), which disease has caused the deaths of many animals, and which deaths are, in accordance with our custom, recorded in the mortality table of animals at any time treated in prevention or cure of hog cholera. During the past year we have continued the practice, first advised in 1918, of treating animals in herds where the infec- tion was found to be extensive to a degree which we formerly thought rendered treatment inadvisable. If the infection is of an acute character, and the animals are not showing symptoms of a chronic type of the disease or of a secondary infection, we now treat the animals, finding that even under unfavorable con- ditions we can generally save enough of them to offset those which succumb, and thereby reduce by a considerable amount the money loss which the owner would sustain if none of the animals were treated because of doubtful chance of success. It is satisfactory to note a rapidly increasing number of swine owners who realize that the better thing for them to do is to have their swine treated before infection appears among them and prevent hog cholera rather than attempt to cure it. In the one case the outlay (for serum and virus only) is small and not to be compared with the probable loss which would sooner or later occur in a herd not immunized against hog cholera. On the whole, the sanitary conditions under which swine are kept are being gradually improved, as the swine owners are convinced, either by our strict regulations when service is re- quested or by actual experience, that proper sanitary conditions of piggeries not only limit the prevalence of contagious disease but influence the growth of the animals. While it is nearly 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 41 impossible to obtain perfect sanitary conditions in piggeries, especially where garbage is fed, much can be done in this direc- tion by systematic attention to detail. Swine are to-day probably receiving more particular attention on the part of experienced and specially trained individuals than ever before, with the result that much intensive study is being given the subject of their diseases. Some of these either formerly did not prevail or were not recognized as specific infections. For the past two years, however, some of them have prevailed to such an extent in Massachusetts as to demand our particular attention. Their prevalence as primary causes of swine sickness and their relation to hog cholera are being studied in field and laboratory in many parts of the world by a large number of workers. In the meantime such practical methods of control as have already been proved to be effective are being applied. Of these diseases, hemorrhagic septicemia and necrotic en- teritis are the ones at present recognized as being of the most importance in this State. The clinical symptoms of hemorrhagic septicemia often so closely resemble those of hog cholera as to make a differential diagnosis in the field very difficult and sometimes impossible. They are frequently determined to be coexistent, and decision often cannot be made as to which one is the primary causative factor and which the secondary. We consequently in many in- stances treat two different infections in the same animal. As far as saving the animals goes the results are generally satis- factory if the preventive treatments, found to be effective when used singly, are applied simultaneously. Immunization to hog cholera is always advised, either by single or double treatment as the conditions may warrant, and treatment of the other infections in addition thereto, as may seem advisable. During the year 16,180 treatments have been administered to swine in prevention or cure of hemorrhagic septicemia, a very large increase of this work over that done in 1918. The value of the work is without question. In many instances we have seen an outbreak of this disease checked in twenty-four hours. The probability is that there will be an increased demand for 42 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. service by our department inspectors in control of swine dis- eases the coming year. The work seems to be a popular one among those interested in swine production, as shown by their constantly increasing requests for this service, and, if the ratio of yearly increase in the number of swine is maintained, our present force will be taxed to the utmost to perform it in a satisfactory manner. Miscellaneous Diseases. Anthrax. — This disease, existing in many different parts of the world and causing an annual loss of many thousands of animals, has never prevailed to a serious extent in Massachu- setts. Every year, however, a few of our animals lose their lives by it, and prompt attention to any outbreak reported is necessary to limit its extension. While nearly all species of domesticated animals are susceptible to the infection, we find that cattle and sheep are the ones most commonly affected. The disease is communicable to the human subject, the mode of transmission generally being by the handling of carcasses, raw hides or wool of animals which have died of the disease. The Department is therefore concerned not only with the dan- ger of this disease to our live stock but also with the danger of its transmission to the human subject. All reported cases of an outbreak among animals are immedi- ately investigated and subsequent action is taken as deemed advisable by the facts disclosed. Positive diagnosis is first necessary, and, as the animals generally either are found dead or die before arrival of a veterinarian or Department inspector, a post-mortem examination would ordinarily be depended upon to confirm the suspicions of anthrax. As post-mortem appear- ances in this disease are often not sufficiently characteristic to justify a positive diagnosis, and as the opening of a carcass allows the body fluids to escape and possibly spread the in- fection, it is advised that the suspected carcass be not opened, but that a specimen of blood be drawn from the cadaver on to a piece of glass and then allowed to dry in the air. If this specimen is not badly contaminated by careless preparation, and is promptly forwarded to a laboratory, there is no diffi- culty in determining whether or not anthrax bacilli are present. 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 43 A field diagnosis or suspicion of anthrax having been con- firmed, preventive measures at once follow. They consist of proper disposal of diseased carcasses, disinfection of premises, and preventive inoculation of susceptible and exposed animals. To prevent infection spreading from a carcass it should be burned or deeply buried, covered with quicklime. Anthrax organisms or their spores if not destroyed may continue to infect soil for a long time; in many instances such infection has been found to exist for a number of years. We recom- mend that any contaminated ground be burned over and the surface area above the buried carcass be fenced and burned over yearly. Any contaminated portions of buildings if wooden should be torn out and burned, and if concrete should be thor- oughly disinfected. The remaining animals of the herd should be at once removed to other buildings or areas, and the apparently healthy ones inoculated in prevention of the disease. Animals already affected are sometimes successfully treated, but ordinarily the disease runs such a rapid course that death takes place before the animal is noticed to be seriously sick. Consequently our efforts are generally limited to protection of the animals not showing symptoms. Although a certain percentage of deaths may reasonably be expected to occur among the inoculated animals, we find in actual experience that fatalities are very few. Preventive inoculation is supposed to confer immunity for a period of at least twelve months. At premises where an out- break has occurred and there is reason to fear permanent in- fection, it is advised that all suspectible animals be given a preventive inoculation each succeeding year for a certain period. During the past year the disease has occurred only in cattle, 9 head on 5 different premises having been found to be affected. Of these 9 animals, 4 were in the town of Conway, 2 in the town of Lancaster, 1 in Egremont, 1 in Gardner, and 1 in Sheffield. The preventive inoculation has been applied to 128 head of cattle on 8 different premises located in 5 towns. Reports of the existence of anthrax on 4 premises in 4 differ- ent towns proved upon investigation to be unfounded. In another case the animals recovered. On the cases reported from 3 of the 4 premises in 3 of the 4 towns laboratory diag- 44 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. nosis was negative. The specimens submitted from one town were too decomposed for a proper examination, and the trouble was diagnosed as forage poison. Blackleg. — This disease is very prevalent in many different parts of the world, and if not controlled causes severe losses on account of its high death rate. A disease affecting young cattle only and readily prevented by a yearly inoculation just before turning to pasture in the spring, its prevalence should be limited in this State and the fatalities few, and this no doubt would be the case if cattle owners would avail themselves of the free service of the Department of Animal Industry in pre- vention of the disease. On many farms in different parts of the State it has been found by actual experience that if the young cattle are not given preventive inoculation a certain number of deaths are liable to occur during the pasture season, which fact indicates that a permanent or continuous infection of the soil exists, constituting a danger to all susceptible animals. The security which the Department's prevention work affords cattle owners in infected districts is so apparent that a steady increase in the number of applications for treatment received is noted from year to year. During 1919 we have administered preventive inoculation to 1,202 young cattle on 148 farms located in 47 towns, as tabulated below: — Premises. Premises. Adams, .... 1 Leverett, ... 1 Ashburnham, 4 Littleton, . 2 Ashby, 10 Lunenburg, 1 Ashfield, 1 Montague, . 1 Athol, . 3 New Bedford, . 1 Brimfield, . 4 New Marlborough, 3 Chester, 5 North Adams, . 3 Gardner, 1 Northampton, . 6 Granville, . 2 Orange, 13 Great Barrington, 5 Peru, . 1 Greenwich, 2 Pittsneld, . 3 Hadley, 1 Prescott, 5 Harvard, 4 Princeton, . 1 Holyoke, 3 Rowe, . 8 Huntington, 1 Royalston, . 1 Lee, 13 Rutland, 1 Leicester, . 1 Saudi sfield, 4 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 45 Premises. Premises. Shelburne, . . .. 6 Wendell, . 1 Southampton, . . 2 Westhampton, . 1 South Hadle}^ . . 1 Westminster, . . 1 Sterling, . 2 Williamstown, . . 2 Townsend, . . 7 Winchendon, . 1 Tyringham, . 2 Windsor, . 1 Warwick, . . 5 The records show that 27 deaths from blackleg on 13 differ- ent premises have been reported during the year, an increase of 10 over the year 1918, and that we have inoculated 11 per cent more animals this year than in 1918. The increase in this branch of the Department's work is un- doubtedly due to the fact that cattle owners are more gen- erally informed that their young stock can be successfully pro- tected against the disease without in any way interfering with their health or growth. The same general recommendations regarding disposal of infected carcasses by burning or deep burial, followed by dis- infection of contaminated areas or buildings, are applicable as in cases of anthrax and referred to in the remarks on that dis- ease. The immediate removal of stock from the pastures where an outbreak occurs is also recommended. Actinomycosis. — Very few cases of this disease have been reported this year. Our customary action is to apply quaran- tine to animals reported as affected, while allowing owners to fatten them for slaughter if desired. Our attention has been called to 10 cases only during the year: 1 each in Hardwick, Kingston, Northneld, Taunton, Townsend and Wareham, and 4 in the town of Grafton. Of the 10 cases reported, 4 were released as not affected; 2 were released after treatment, the animals having recovered; and 4 were condemned and slaughtered under proper meat inspection. Hemorrhagic Septicemia in Cattle. — This is a disease which seems to be gradually increasing in prevalence each succeeding year. Our records for this year show that 9 more fatal cases have been reported than during 1918. Thirty-one head of cattle have died from the disease, these fatal cases occurring on 14 different premises in 10 different towns, namely, Buckland, 46 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Deerfield, Fitchburg, Groton, Lancaster, Rowe, Southwick, Wellesley, Wendell and Worcester. Its prevalence among swine is referred to on page 41 in con- nection with our work in prevention of hog cholera, for the reason that our field men engaged in inoculating swine against cholera have their attention directed to cases of hemorrhagic septicemia among them, and the record of both diseases is made at one time. The symptoms of hemorrhagic septicemia affecting cattle very closely resemble those of anthrax in many instances, and a differential diagnosis between these two diseases has frequently been possible only as a result of a laboratory examination of specimens from the carcasses of the animals. Preventive treatment has recently been developed to such a degree that it has been found possible to protect the remaining healthy animals, in herds where cases of the disease have occurred, by inoculation of biological preparations manufac- tured for the purpose. We have applied this preventive in- oculation to 52 head of cattle during the past year. It is generally found that removal of the herd from the pasture or premises where a fatal case has developed results in preventing further extension of the disease. This experience indicates that one source of the infection is located in the soil, and that contagion does not spread rapidly from animal to animal. The experience of many other States, where a wide- spread prevalence of this disease has been caused by shipments of cattle to the farms from public stockyards, has not occurred in Massachusetts. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that much of the restocking of herds in Massachusetts is by the addition of cattle shipped directly from farms of near-by States and not often through any public stockyard. At the principal Massachusetts stockyards, located at Brighton, this disease has not appeared, and it therefore seems that Massa- chusetts herds are at present safe from the extension of the disease through the channels by which it has been spread in many other sections of the country. Mange. — This very troublesome disease seems to have been much less prevalent than usual in Massachusetts during the past year. Our records show a smaller number of animals to have been affected with it than during the years 1916, 1917 or 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 47 1918. In 1916, 85 head of cattle were reported as affected; during the past year 76 head have been so reported. Thirteen horses on 9 premises have also been reported as showing posi- tive symptoms of this disease. The premises on which cattle have been reported are located in Concord, Dartmouth, Graf- ton, Lincoln, Merrimac, Milton, Needham, Northampton and Winchester. The places from which affected horses have been reported are Abington, Concord, Framingham, Medford, New- ton, Revere, Somerville, Taunton, Watertown and Worcester. Successful treatment of this disease is possible if the owner or attendant will faithfully carry out the local application of proper medicinal remedies. The treatment recommended is not expensive, but it is very inconvenient in application. It is our custom to quarantine affected animals if they are kept under conditions which favor the spread of the disease, and particu- larly where owners and attendants are not likely to properly attend to them. Fortunately, however, most of the owners of cattle affected with mange realize that its cure means an in- creased amount of animal products, and they therefore faith- fully follow directions for treatment. Successful treatment of the disease in horses also means increased capacity of the animals for work and less feed necessary to keep them in proper condition. Foot-and-mouth Disease. — This disease has not appeared in Massachusetts during the past three years, although we have received reports of its existence in the towns of Ashland and Lenox. Prompt investigation of these reports proved them to be unfounded. As it has lately prevailed to an alarming extent in many foreign countries, we must consider the possibility of its appearance in this country at any time. We are assured that the Federal authorities are carefully watching the situa- tion, and have formulated plans for the prompt inauguration of forceful control work if the emergency occurs. Locally, all Department veterinarians, inspectors of animals and private veterinarians are requested to be constantly on watch and to promptly report any suspicious cases, in order that measures may be immediately taken to prevent its spread. Diseases of Sheep. — On one of the smaller islands off the southern coast of the State owned by a private individual, a flock of about 750 sheep are maintained. In this flock the 48 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. disease known as " sheep scab" or "scabies" appeared im- mediately after the animals were sheared in June, and when reported to this office about 125 animals were affected. On a positive diagnosis being established by consultation of the veterinarian in attendance with a Department agent, arrange- ments for "dipping" the animals were soon made and carried into execution under supervision of the attending veterinarian. All the animals were twice subjected to the lime and sulphur dip, in accordance with a plan found effective by this De- partment in its experience with control of an outbreak of the disease on Nantucket Island in 1915. At the annual round-up of the animals the coming spring further attention to control measures will be given and further dipping be made if the same is found necessary. It seems probable that the disease was brought to this flock by the shearers, as its first appearance occurred soon after their work there and it had not existed in the flock previously. A few cases of nodular disease have been reported from the towns of Freetown, Salisbury and Uxbridge. This disease is due to an intestinal parasite which causes more or less loss by death of young lambs, and also by retarding the proper de- velopment of others which are harboring it. A case of forage poisoning occurred in the town of Orange. Infectious Abortion. >■ — The prevalence of infectious abortion in Massachusetts herds of cattle during the past year has been of the same great concern as has been referred to in previous reports. Its ravages are well known to every one engaged in the production of milk or in the breeding of thoroughbred cattle, and the losses occasioned by its attendant results are estimated to be second only to those caused by bovine tuber- culosis. As much of the loss caused by this disease is occasioned by resulting sterility, either permanent or temporary, which condition should properly be the subject of investigation by the herd owner's private veterinarian, followed by such treat- ment as he may recommend, it would seem that the function of this Department in connection with the situation should be limited to the giving of advice as to the general management of infected herds, and as to the carrying out of sanitary measures recognized as essential to any progress in controlling the preva- lence of the infection. In other words, it does not seem feasible 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 49 for this Department at this time to enter the field of specific treatment of herds in which the infection prevails, or of in- dividual animals suffering from any one of the many different pathological conditions concurrent with the infection. Such work can probably be attended to more successfully by the private veterinarian who has fitted himself for this branch of expert veterinary practice. Equine Tuberculosis. — Tuberculosis is so rarely found in the equine species that special mention should be made of a horse killed by the Department in the town of Harvard in April of this year, post-mortem examination of which revealed extensive lesions of this disease, involving the major portion of the spleen and both lungs. This horse came from the West nine years ago, had been in the same town practically ever since his arrival, and had been used as a draft horse on two different farm prem- ises. He had apparently been in good health until last winter when he began to lose flesh rapidly, became muscularly weak, and showed a rapid respiration accompanied by a sonorous cough. No history could be obtained of other cases of tuber- culosis having existed on either of the farms where he had spent the major portion of his life. Positive diagnosis of the case was made as a result of laboratory examination. The Department has frequently been called upon to make examination of animals reported to be affected with a conta- gious disease, and it has been found that the disease with which the animals may have been affected was not of a contagious nature. Among the diseases found in such instances may be mentioned acute indigestion, cancer, foot rot, forage poisoning, lead poisoning, keratitis, non-nutrition, pericarditis, pneumonia and traumatic septicemia. As we are anxious, however, to at all times be thoroughly informed as to the prevalence of contagious disease among our domestic animals, it is our custom to promptly investigate all such reports from whomsoever received. In September it was reported that an unusual number of deaths had occurred among horses pastured in the towns of Hingham, Norwell, Hull and Scituate, in an area about 10 miles square. In all, 10 horses had died or were killed, all exhibiting 50 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. a similar train of symptoms, namely, cerebral congestion, staggering gait, loss of co-ordination, partial paralysis of the hind limbs finally becoming complete, inability to rise, followed by death in thirty-six to forty-eight hours in some of the cases. Specimens were procured from the next case reported, which proved to be the last one, and submitted to laboratory exami- nation. This was, however, unsatisfactory, no specific organ- ism being found. Recorded symptoms all pointed to some form of forage poisoning as responsible for the fatalities, but the specific forage could not be identified. A prominent veterinary bacteriologist suggested the Bacillus botulinus as the possible causative organism, the history of the cases being similar to that of a number of cases in which the Bacillus botulinus was found to be present. Laboratory examination, however, did not substantiate this suggestion. The cases were all reported by one veterinarian and no other cases of a similar character were reported from other sections. Laboratory Examinations. We constantly request the submission to this Department of specimens for laboratory examination where contagious disease is suspected, or where for any reason positive diagnosis is neces- sary and cannot be made by other methods. In addition to the brains of 88 animals submitted because suspected of rabies and 125 samples of blood taken from animals in our work of glanders control, there have been 78 other specimens submitted to the laboratory for examination and diagnosis. These may be listed as follows under the name of the disease suspected, together with the finding of the laboratory: — r . .. .. - — - — - Positive. Negative. Actinomycosis, Anthrax, Blackleg, Botulism, Glanders, Hemorrhagic septicemia, Infectious abortion, Malignant lymphoma, . Nodular disease, . Tuberculosis, 5 3 5 4 1 1 11 1 6 3 2 3 7 16 • 30 38 No diagnosis, L0 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 51 The importance and absolute necessity of laboratory exam- inations in connection with the work of this Department are apparent. These examinations are specially important in con- nection with diseases which are communicable to the human subject, notably rabies, positive diagnosis of which by clinical symptoms of the suspected animal is often impossible for the reason that in many instances the infected animal is killed be- fore positive clinical symptoms have appeared. In case" persons have been bitten by such an animal a diagnosis by laboratory examination becomes necessary for the purpose of determining whether or not preventive inoculation should be administered to the persons bitten. Failure to make diagnosis in such in- stances might result in the loss of human life. Laboratory in- vestigation in connection with our control work in other con- tagious diseases is also very necessary to its success and really indispensable at the present day. The laboratory of the State Department of Health has efficiently performed this entire serv- ice for us during the year. Annual Inspection of Fakm Animals and Premises. In accordance with sections 14 to 24 of chapter 90 of the Re- vised Laws and pursuant to an order of the Commissioner issued Jan. 17, 1919, to inspectors of animals of all cities and towns of the Commonwealth, an inspection of all cattle, sheep and swine and the premises on which they are kept was duly made, and every inspector submitted to this office a report of his work. The inspector also made a duplicate report of his visit to each individual premises, leaving it with the owner. The complete reports sent to the office of the Department are carefully gone over and the information contained in them is tabulated for reference. They furnish a fairly correct and comprehensive survey of animal health in general and of the sanitary conditions under which Massachusetts live stock is kept, also valuable data for yearly comparison and for con- sideration when formulating general policies for disease control work. By reference to them may be gathered information as to existing conditions at any one point where unusual prevalence of disease may appear. These reports also furnish the only correct "census" of farm animals published, and in that connection are of considerable 52 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. interest and value not only to this Department but to other State departments, and to associations and individuals inter- ested in the breeding and raising of live stock, or engaged in any of the many branches of business closely related thereto. In instances where unsatisfactory conditions of animals or premises are found by the local inspectors, the latter make recommendations for improvements and later visit the premises to ascertain if such have been carried out. It frequently hap- pens that owners entirely fail to make the changes recom- mended, and in those instances the district veterinarians of the Department are directed to visit the premises in their re- spective districts and by every means possible to induce owners to bring sanitary conditions up to a reasonable state of per- fection. In pursuance of this plan district veterinarians made 2,097 visits during the year, and the result in a majority of instances was full or partial correction of the unsatisfactory conditions noted by local inspectors. A gross tabulation of annual reports of inspectors follows: — Total number of herds of cattle inspected, .... Number of herds containing not over 5 dairy cows, Number of neat cattle inspected, Number of dairy cows inspected, Number of herds found clean and in good condition, . Number of stables inspected, Number of stables properly drained, Number of stables well ventilated, Number of stables sufficiently lighted, Number of stables found clean, . . . " . Number of stables in which improvements were recommended, Number of herds of swine inspected, Number of swine inspected, Number of herds of swine garbage-fed, Number of swine garbage-fed, Number of sheep inspected, Number of goats inspected, 30,155 22,135 230,191 150,593 29,048 31,123 30,780 30,597 30,302 29,806 976 17,076 108,108 3,547 55,652 17,906 1,408 The annual inspection from which the above tabulation was made took place during the spring months of 1919, and at that time there was found a decrease in the total number of cattle in the State of 1,216 since the inspection made the previous year, a decrease of about one-half of 1 per cent. The present total is found to be only slightly below the average total for 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 53 the years 1901 to 1919. The number of dairy cows decreased during the year by 1,366, and the present total shows their number to be about 9,400 below the average number for the years mentioned. The above statistics referring to total number of swine are not reliable as showing the actual conditions of the swine- raising industry, for the reason that the numbers increase or decrease rapidly on individual premises according as new litters are farrowed or mature animals are shipped to market. The record of the inspector may be made just before or just after one of these happenings and does not therefore reliably indicate the condition as to numbers. The statistics referring to number of herds are, however, a proper basis for deductions. These show that 4,193 more people engaged in swine raising during the year ending in the spring of 1919 than had so engaged the previous year. The inspectors' records of the number of sheep found on farms show an increase during the year from 16,570 at the 1918 inspection to 17,906 in 1919. On account of the recent increas- ing interest in sheep raising the total number owned in the State will undoubtedly show an increase at the next inspection. In connection with the above reference to reports of the in- spectors of animals of the various towns and cities, attention may very properly be called to the value of the services of in- spectors in other instances. By law they are obliged to carry out any orders given them by the Commissioner of Animal Industry, and it frequently becomes necessary to call upon them for active service in connection with outbreaks of contagious disease or with the arrival of animals shipped interstate. In this way they are a necessary part of our organization, and according as they are alert, conscientious and faithful they render valuable aid and assistance in the execution of our work as a whole. Meetings of inspectors of animals were called at different points in the State as follows: Greenfield, October 28; Pitts- field, October 29; Springfield, October 30; Boston, November 5; Worcester, November 6; Middleborough, November 7. At these meetings there was a total attendance of 188. Much benefit was derived from the discussions of matters of especial interest to the local inspectors, such as general live-stock con- 54 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. ditions, the prevalence of rabies in dogs, of tuberculosis in cattle, and regarding the duties of inspectors in unusual in- stances of various kinds. A question box was instituted at each meeting as a new feature, and this brought forth much addi- tional discussion. Charts showing the Department's work in its various branches for a period of years were shown and ex- plained in detail by Department officials. Reports of Rendering Companies. Section 111 of chapter 75 of the Revised Laws, as amended by chapter 243 of the Acts of 1907, requires rendering com- panies to report to this Department every animal received by them which is found to be infected with a contagious disease, and the information thus furnished is of value in bringing to the attention of the Department occasional cases of these dis- eases which otherwise would not be known. A table of reports of rendering companies follows: — i„ HI h-i 1 =+-C -U • o O 0 0 O „"S to to to to &_: O O tO ^H^ o CL> ® a 0 « s O a 8 to 03 H& to § c3 a o> O Q_2 08s 0.2 2 Ph *CQ a "<2 ^ Rendering Companies. o °i2* ■s| 1M 0> O to ^ °3^ . *> , 0 , O >> . 0 ^ (H -T-J b m &H.— 1 ^? 5s S 0 o 0J X p r£J2 -5 rf ^ *2^ £ s s| £r* gJ2 0 a 3 g d 20 3H 30> 3r-i a £ £ % B £ Ayer Rendering Company, 3 - 3 - - Edwin G. Baker & Son, Providence, R. I., 8 - 9 - - L. B. Darling Fertilizer Company, Paw- 1 - 1 - - tucket, R. I. Saul Donais, Southbridge, 1 1 - - - William S. Higgins, Wilmington, 4 - 4 - - Home Soap Company, Millbury, 7 1 14 - - Lowell Rendering Company, 7 - 10 - - Muller Brothers, Cambridge, 3 4 - - - New England Rendering Company, 6 6 2 - - Brighton. Parmenter & Polsey Fertilizer Company, 1 1 - - - Peabody. N. Roy & Son, South Attleborough, . 4 1 3 — 1 N. Roy, Jr., Fall River 8 - 11 - - Springfield Rendering Company, 1 1 ■ - - - N. Ward Company, Boston, 5 9 - 1 - Worcester Rendering Company, 1 1 - - - Totals, ...... 60 25 57 l 1 Note. — All the above cases are included in statistics occurring elsewhere in this report. 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 55 Receipts of Live Stock at the Stockyards in Boston and Vicinity foe Twelve Months ending Nov. 30, 1919. For several years, at the request of the United States De- partment of Commerce and Labor, a report of the receipts of all live stock at Boston has been sent to Washington each month. The following table shows the receipts by months for the past year: — For Month of — Cattle. Calves. Sheep. Swine. Horses. December, 21,219 19,909 18,899 205,330 985 January, 13,255 14,535 19,610 197,718 984 February, . 9,274 12,502 13,039 196,860 1,236 March, 10,390 19,077 11,510 121,476 1,955 April, . 11,664 35,780 14,966 91,926 2,358 May, . 8,512 27,887 13,530 93,399 1,865 June, , 7,320 18,454 - 8,902 133,801 1,525 July, . 9,727 17,592 23,304 133,609 1,125 August, 7,948 16,734 23,714 53,700 1,125 September, 9,760 15,519 33,358 55,624 1,126 October, 8,504 11,740 28,735 33,142 1,226 November, . 7,943 7,306 5,016 15,216 823 Totals, 125,516 217,035 214,583 1,331,801 16,333 . . . Financial Statement. Appropriation for the salary of the Commissioner, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919, $3,500 00 Expended during the year for the salary of the Commissioner, . . 3,500 00 Appropriation for personal services of clerks and stenographers, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919, $8,000 00 Expended during the year for the following purposes : — Personal services of clerks and stenographers, . . . $7,045 25 Extra clerical and stenographic service 167 13 Total expenditure, $7,212 38 Unexpended balance, 787 62 $8,000 00 Appropriation for services other than personal, including printing the annual report, traveling expenses of the Commissioner, and office supplies and equipment, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919 , . . $4,400 00 56 ANIMAL INDUSTRY. [Jan. Expended during the year for the following purposes: — Books and maps, Express and messenger service, Postage, Printing report, Other printing, . Telephone and telegrams, Stationery and office supplies, Typewriter, Expenses of the Commissioner, Sundries, . Total expenditure, . Unexpended balance, Appropriation for personal services of veterinarians and agents engaged in the work of extermination of contagious diseases among domestic animals, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919, $47,000 00 Expended during the year for the following purposes : — Services of regular agents, $33,874 81 Services of per diem agents, 9,756 00 Labor hired, 326 00 Total expenditure, $43,956 81 Unexpended balance, 3,043 19 $72 35 240 56 730 72 145 53 1,126 73 643 52 724 04 96 75 515 45 3 45 $4,299 10 100 90 — $4,400 00 $47,000 00 Appropriation for the traveling expenses of veterina- rians and agents, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919, . . . $22,500 00 Expended during the year for the following purposes : — Traveling expenses of regular agents, .... $15,634 53 Traveling expenses of per diem agents, .... 5,381 29 Total expenditure, $21,015 82 Unexpended balance, ' . 1,484 18 $22,500 00 Appropriation for reimbursement of owners of cattle and horses killed, travel, when allowed, of inspectors of animals, incidental expenses of killing and burial, quarantine and emergency services, and for laboratory and veterinary supplies and equip- ment, chapter 153, Special Acts of 1919, . . . $55,000 00 Brought forward from 1918 appropriation, ... 29 24 Total amount appropriated, $55,029 24 Expended during the year for the following purposes : — 932 head of cattle condemned and killed on account of tuberculosis in 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, paid for in 1919 $39,135 82 31 horses condemned and killed on account of glanders and farcy in 1918 and 1919, paid for in 1919, . . 1,685 00 Supplies for veterinary inspectors, 1,058 16 Laundry, , 523 58 1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 98. 57 Antiseptics, biologies and disinfectants, .... $2,257 15 Thermometers, needles, syringes, etc., .... 1,393 50 Ear-tags, punches, chains, etc., 2,387 11 Expenses of killing and burial, 24 50 Expenses of travel allowed inspectors of animals, . . 594 63 Quarantine expenses, ' . 162 18 Rent of quarantine office, . . . . . . 110 00 Sundries, 141 10 Total expenditure, $49,472 73 Unexpended balance, .... -r~~ . . . 5,556 51 $55,029 24 The average price paid for condemned cattle for the year was $37.83. There has been received during the year from the sale of hides and carcasses of condemned animals $736.20, and for the testing of cattle for non-resident owners $2,271.75, a total amount of $3,007.95. Claims for 79 head of cattle condemned and killed as tuber- culous during the year remain unsettled, to be paid for on proof of claims, the appraised value of which amounts to $2,874. Claims for 2 horses condemned and killed during the year because deemed to be affected with glanders remain unsettled, to be paid for on proof of claims, the allowance for which under the law will amount to $100. Respectfully submitted, LESTER H. HOWARD, Commissioner.