STATE DOCUMENTS REPORT OF THE Montana Livestock Sanitary Board AND State Veterinary Surgeon Including Reports of Chemist and Bacteriologist and Pathologist and Summary of Work For the Biennium December 1, 1926 to November 30, 1928 Montana State Library 3 0864 1005 0986 1 Montana Livestock Sanitary Board PERCY WILLIAMSON, President, Miles City R. F. CLARY, Vice-Pres., Great Falls W. H. DONALD, Melville A. M. MOORE, Marion C. J. McNAMARA, Big- Sandy BERT ORR, Dillon W. J. BUTLER Secretary and Executive Officer State Veterinary Surgeon Director of Laboratories ,*HM*IIHSt» ^^HiHUf' Montana Livestock Sanitary Board Laboratories HE TRIBUNE PRINTING CO. affipS^feD GREAT FALLS, MONTANA Letter of Transmittal Helena, Montana, December 1, 1928. Honorable J. E. Erickson, Governor of the State of Montana, Helena, Montana. Sir: In compliance with Section 3292, Revised Codes of Montana, 1921, we transmit herewith the report of the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board and State Veterinary Surgeon for the biennium December 1, 1926, to November 30, 1928. Respectfully, MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD, W. J. Butler, Executive Officer. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Montana State Library http://www.archive.org/details/reportofmontanal1928mont Report of the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board Helena, Montana, December 1, 1928. Honorable Livestock Sanitary Board, Helena, Montana. Sirs: In compliance with Section 3292, Revised Codes of Montana, 1921, I herewith present the report of the State Veterinary Surgeon and Executive Officer of the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board for the biennium December 1, 1926, to November 30, 1928: MEETINGS OF THE BOARD There were four meetings of the Livestock Sanitary Board during the year of 1927. The first meeting was held at Helena, Montana, on January 17, 1927. The second meeting of the Board was held at Miles City, Montana, on April 8th. At this meeting the Board reorganized. Percy Williamson was elected president and R. F. Clary vice-president. The third meeting was held at Helena, Montana, on June 27th. The fourth meeting was held at Helena, Montana, on September 8th. There were three meetings held during the year 1928. The first was held at Great Falls. The second, which was the regular annual meeting, was held at Havre on April 13th, 1928. The third meeting was held at Helena on July 9th, 1928. At all of these meetings general sanitary conditions were gone over, and the actions of the executive officer approved. Complete minutes of all meetings are on file at the secretary's office at Helena, Montana. LEGISLATION There were no new laws enacted by the 20th Legislative Assembly pertaining to livestock sanitation. The present livestock sanitary laws of Montana are very complete, and drawn up in such a manner that they have been able to meet each and every condition which has arisen. For the confidence that the Legislative Assembly placed in the Live- stock Sanitary Board, and for the very complete, elastic and compre- 6 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD hensive statutes they have enacted to govern the operation of the Livestock Sanitary Board, we express our sincere thanks. We desire to call the attention of the 21st Legislative Assembly to the inadequacy of legislation pertaining to dairy licenses. It is finan- cially and physically impossible, under the present statutes, to collect a dairy license from cream producers. The statute requiring a license on cream producers should either be repealed entirely or should provide that no creamery or milk plant should buy milk or cream from a pro- ducer that is not duly licensed. LITIGATION Again we are glad to report that there is no litigation of importance connected with this department. The length of time this department has been able to operate without being taken into district court is indeed exceptional and extraordinary. This department is commissioned with police powers governing livestock sanitation, and naturally at times must use drastic measures to prevent the spread of livestock diseases. That we have not been in district court for a period of over fourteen years speaks very highly of the regard with which stockmen of Montana hold the laws governing livestock disease control work. SCOPE OF WORK This report, naturally, must confine itself to actual work accom- plished, and to a general summary of livestock diseases and control work. We feel, however, that it is not amiss to call your attention to the vast scope of work undertaken by this department. It needs no great stress of the imagination to visualize the difficulties which field men encounter. A study of the pathologist's and bacteriologist's and chemical labora- tory's reports reveal that we have investigated livestock poisoning, both malicious and accidental. It will also reveal the fact that we have uncovered unwholesome foods that were intended for human consumption. We have also examined mountain sheep and deer in the mountains during the winter months, to determine disease conditions in both species of animals, and have also investigated and determined the cause of death of various fish in our native streams. In addition to these activities we have had our routine work of inspecting dairies, tuberculin testing annually all dairy cattle, inspecting and quarantining every sheep shipped into the state, which work also requires a re-inspection of such sheep at the end of the 90-day quar- antine period. It is also our duty to quarantine, subject to a 60-90 day retest all cattle other than strictly range cattle. In co-operation with the United States Bureau of Animal Industry we have tuberculin tested every living cow, calf, bull and steer in Lincoln, Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli and Daniels counties, and that part of Roosevelt county lying east of the Muddy STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 7 River, as well as tuberculin testing many thousands of cattle in other parts of the state. A study of the summary of work accomplished will reveal the fact that many horses and swine have been examined and cared for, as well as controlling outbreaks of disease in poultry and dogs. GENERAL REMARKS I doubt if Montana stockmen ever had, under normal conditions, more profitable years than the two years just past. They have been ex- ceptionally good growing years, with splendid grain and plenty of grass. We have gone through the biennium without any serious outbreak of disease in our livestock. Prices have been higher than at any time, except during the war period. Our cattle have been better finished, and have been of better quality than they have been in many years, so that our financial returns for the animals shipped have indeed been gratifying. Another year like the past two years and Montana will not only be a Treasure State, but will be a land of milk and honey. Our livestock are going through the winter in splendid shape, and our ranchmen are well supplied with feed. We are of the opinion that we have as many cattle on our ranches at this time as we did a year ago. It is true that the big outfits are closing out, and the loss of their shipments will be felt, but it is our opinion that the number of small outfits that are now operating in Montana will offset the loss of the large outfits. There is a marked decrease in the number of cattle in the United States, but in the loss of cattle Montana has not suffered as much as many of our sister states, where high land values make a profitable raising of cattle problematical. The time is fast approaching when cattle growers operating on lands enhanced in value by reason of centralization of population cannot compete with cattle growers oper- ating in Montana, where the price of land is nearer the actual value. We again desire to call your attention to the necessity of building up and patronizing our home industries. We are strictly a producing state. As a state we could live and be happy upon what we produce within our own limits. It is an economic waste for us to ship our products, and especially our living animals, some fifteen hundred miles to market centers, and then have the carcasses of these selfsame animals shipped back to us for consumption. We trust, ere many years roll by, that we will feed and finish our own livestock, so as to furnish our own abattoirs with livestock the year around, and that our people will ask for and consume Montana products. We have cattle, sheep and hogs that are as good as any produced in any country, and we are firmly convinced that their food values are superior to animals grown under abnormal conditions, such as smoke laden air, contaminated water and grass and grains grown on worn-out lands, and matured without an abundance of sunlight, such as we enjoy in Montana. Montana ships out of the state over one million lambs each year 8 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD to be fed and fattened in feed yards in some of the middle western states. These lambs are taken away from their mothers. They lose their milkfat, and are fed grains and grasses that are foreign to them. When put upon the market they are really no longer lambs, but are young mutton. They have been subjected to a complete change of feed. In practically every instance they have lost their milkfat, and in many instances they have been subjected to a shrink that would naturally cause a complete change in the delicious flavor that is natural to a milk fed lamb. There is a profitable field open to our feeders to fatten Montana lambs on our natural grasses and our grains, together with the milk from the ewe. Lambs of this character, shipped direct to our local abattoirs and sold direct to the people of Montana would not only prove more profitable than shipping such animals to eastern markets, but would furnish our people with a product that would be vastly superior to the lamb shipped in to us from eastern packing centers. HORSES There are very few diseases in horses in Montana. Glanders, dourine, and scab, which bothered us some years ago, are practically diseases of the past. Good utility horses are in demand in the different farming com- munities. The small range horse has practically no intrinsic value. We are of the opinion, however, that there is, and will be for some time to come, a market for good saddle horses. Camping outfits in our national parks, as well as the many dude ranches that are springing up in Montana, are constantly in the market for sure-footed, hardy saddle horses, of a type that can be easily and profitably grown in Montana. Our range mares bred to Morgan, Thoroughbred or Standardbred sires will produce such a horse. CATTLE Tuberculosis During the past two years Lincoln, Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Daniels and Slieridan counties, and that part of Roose- velt county lying east of the Muddy river, have been declared modified tuberculosis free accredited areas by the United States Bureau of Animal Industry and the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board co-operating. Each year our work shows that bovine tuberculosis is being steadily decreased. Outside of one or two southern states, where bovine tuber- culosis is a rare disease, there is no other state that we know of that has a smaller percentage of bovine tuberculosis than Montana. Prac- tically every cow in dairies suppling milk and cream has been tuberculin tested, and we found only thirty one-hundredths of one per cent reactors in 1927, and only twenty-nine one-hundredths of one per cent reactors STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 9 in 1928. In our accredited herds not one reactor was found, and every accredited herd was tested annually. One fact of decided interest and importance was disclosed by the testing in 1927, and that was that in our retests of imported cattle shipped into the state subject to a 60-90 day retest, as required by the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board regulations, we found forty-six one- hundredths of one per cent reactors, which is more than we found in our native cattle. This fact shows the value of the regulation requiring this retest, as all these retested cattle were shipped into the state accom- panied by an official health certificate and tuberculin test chart. The total number of cattle tuberculin tested by the Montana Live- stock Sanitary Board and the United S'tateg Bureau of Animal Industry co-operating, during the biennium 1927-1928 was 214,587, and the per- centage of reactors was twenty-nine one-hundredths of one per cent, and speaks most highly of the healthfulness of our cattle. It is to be understood that when cattle are tuberculin tested they are also inspected for any infectious-contagious diseases, and when passed it is an official recognition that they are free from any infectious-contagious disease. Scab In 1927 cattle scab was not known to exist in the State of Montana excepting on the Crow Indian Reservation. In 1928 several shipments of cattle from the State of Washington, and also from Canada, were found to be suffering from scabies upon their arrival in Montana. The regulation requiring the quarantine of cattle, other than strictly range cattle, proved of value in each instance, as the disease was found in these quarantined cattle previous to their being released. In 1928 scab was found in one small herd of approximately 100 head, in a district which had previously been free from this infection. Only four animals were found to be infected. History of the condition, so far, has failed to reveal where this infection came from. Anthrax Anthrax does not exist in the State of Montana at the present time. Blackleg There have been fewer cases of blackleg reported in cattle during the past two years than in previous years. Blackleg is a disease that will exist in range states for many years to come, but it is a disease that is very easily prevented by vaccination. The best vaccine is natural blackleg aggressin. Coccidiosis This is a disease that is caused by a protozoan that lives in slow running water. It gets onto hay by reason of irrigation. The disease generally makes its appearance in the fall, following a severe break in the weather which causes cattle to be brought in from the range and 10 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD thrown into pastures and fed irrigated hays. The disease ordinarily attacks young animals, causes a high fever and bloody diarrhea, followed by considerable prostration. The prevention is never to suddenly change the feeding conditions of an animal, and gradually work them from the upland feed onto the irrigated hay. A pamphlet has been issued by the Livestock Sanitary Board, giving a description of the disease and treatment, which pamphlet will be forwarded on request to any interested stockman. Hemorrhagic Septicemia Hemorrhagic septicemia, ofttimes called stockyard fever, is very often confused with coccidiosis. This condition has been reported to exist from time to time, but most of our investigations have proved the condition to be coccidiosis rather than hemorrhagic septicemia. The disease, however, does occasionally occur in sporadic instances. Ordi- narily it is a self-located disease, and quickly wears itself away. Like coccidiosis, this disease attacks mostly young animals, at a time when they have been subjected to a complete change of feed, and under adverse weather conditions. As in the treatment of coccidiosis, hemorrhagic septicemia is also best treated by the removal of the animals to upland pastures and feeding upland hay, with plenty of salt. There is a vaccine and serum for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic septicemia, but only in exceptional cases do we recom- mend the vaccination of an entire herd. SHEEP Lip and Leg Ulceration Lip and leg ulceration has been of minor importance during the past two years. There have been one or two cases where this condition was reported in a non-virulent form. We have had no reports of this condition in a virulent form during the past two years. Foot Rot Due, undoubtedly, to our very wet springs and summers, and to the practice of lambing out in damp and insanitary sheds, and in some cases to the holding of sheep on damp lands and damp pastures, as well as feed lots, foot rot has made its appearance in a number of bands of sheep the past year. In one or two instances it assumed a very virulent form. It is a difficult condition to cure. The organism that causes foot rot lives in damp ground, and espe- cially around manure piles and bed grounds. The cure necessitates the trimming of the foot of the affected animals and exposing all diseased tissue, and subjecting them to a foot bath of a 20% solution of copper sulphate. Badly infected animals should be cut out of the band and subjected to this foot bath and have their feet trimmed as often as STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 11 necessary. In slightly infected animals two treatments, about a week apart, will generally effect a cure. The prevention of this condition depends mainly on handling sheep on dry ground, and in not using damp sheds, corrals and pastures. One important factor is to immediately cut out and isolate from the band any animal showing symptoms of foot rot, and never to handle healthy animals in wet pastures, corrals or sheds that have contained infected animals. Lungers Lungers, or chronic progressive pneumonia, still causes considerable loss in our sheep. We are of the opinion that the instance of this disease has been materially reduced by improved methods of handling and feeding our sheep. Investigations have led us to the belief that possibly the embryonic stage of one of the lung worms plays a very important role in the cause of chronic progressive pneumonia. We trust, ere long, that investigations will clear up the etiology of this baffling condition. SWINE We have had individual losses in swine herds in various parts of the state during the past two years, but no epidemic of disease. Hog cholera was reported in twenty-one herds in 1927, and in thirty-eight herds in 1928. This is a remarkably small percentage of herds infected with this disease, compared with our sister states. There are many sections and a number of counties in Montana where hog cholera has never existed. We believe in, and permit, the double vaccination of hogs in vicinities where hog cholera exists, but we do not believe in, and do not permit, the double vcacination of hogs in districts where hog cholera has never been known to exisit. This is for the reason that in double vaccination the actual virus of hog cholera is used, and when used in such a district may be the means of causing an outbreak of hog cholera in that district. A number of our feeders have gone to St. Paul and other markets for their pigs. We realize the necessity of having pigs in the state to be fed our products, and especially in pea fields that are improperly harvested, but we deeply deplore the fact that our swine growers and feeders go to central markets for their pigs. If this practice is contin- ued, even though we guard against the importation of disease by quar- antining such pigs, the chance of bringing disease into the state is very materially increased. CHICKENS This department has continued to assist in every way possible in the control of chicken diseases and diseases of other poultry, although not specifically required to do so by the legislature. We again very respectfully call the attention of the Legislature to the fact that there 12 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD is no department specifically commissioned with the duty of controlling diseases of poultry. That we have been of some material assistance to the poultry growers is evidenced by the fact that we have, in our co-operative work, inspected 238,589 fowls during the past two years. DOGS We are extremely glad to report that rabies has not existed in Montana during the past two years. DAIRY INSPECTIONS The milk products of Montana continue to improve each year. We are of the opinion that this department has very materially aided in the production of clean, wholesome milk. At this time we officially express our appreciation to the dairymen of Montana for their ever ready and hearty co-operation with this department in their effort to supply the public with clean, wholesome milk. We also desire at this time to express our very positive opinion that there is no more wholesome or more nutritious food than pure milk and cream. It has been proved beyond any question of a doubt that a pure, wholesome milk supply gives to the human body an added disease resisting power, as well as giving to the growing child an abundant supply of vitamines and mineral salts, such as phosphorus and calcium, necessary for the development of sound bones and teeth. During the past two years we have issued 4,162 dairy licenses. As we have stated in our previous reports, the money obtained from these licenses goes to the General Fund, and is not allotted in any way to this department. MILK PLANTS During the past two years we have issued 44 milk plant licenses. The fees collected for these licenses also go into the General Fund. SLAUGHTER HOUSES During the past two years we issued 259 slaughter house licenses. As is the case with all license fees collected by this department, this money also goes into the General Fund. UNITED STATES BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY CORPS The United States Bureau of Animal Industry Corps of Montana is deserving of exceptionally high praise. Their work has been efficient and effective. They have at all times rendered a very excellent service to the stockmen of Montana during the past two years and co-operated STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 13 with the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board in a sincere and conscientious effort to serve the livestock interests. LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD CORPS The veterinarians of Montana, practically all of whom are com- missioned deputy state veterinary surgeons, have rendered an excellent and conscientious service to the stockmen of Montana during the past two years. We extend to them our very sincere thanks and appreciation of their work. VETERINARIANS The problem of securing adequate veterinary service in Montana is becoming a very acute one. Including the entire Montana Livestock Sanitary Board corps, but not including the federal veterinarians, there are only 37 veterinarians in the State of Montana. A number of these veterinarians are no longer practicing their profession. This is rather an alarming condition. The assessed value of livestock in Montana was, according to the latest report of the State Board of Equalization, $69,003,313.00. We have been fortunate in reducing infectious-contagious diseases in our livestock and keeping out of the state many dangerous diseases, but even under the best of conditions Montana should support at least 100 veterinarians. We may not always be as fortunate as we have been during the past ten years. Our livestock interests should take cognizance of this and endeavor to have located and supported in their respective communities competent graduate veterinarians. The appropriation from the general fund allotted to the Livestock Sanitary Board for the past four years has been approximately $12,000.00 less than it was six years ago. Additional work is continually placed upon the Livestock Sanitary Board, and this, together with the fact that approximately sixteen practicing veterinarians have left the state during the past six years, is a condition that may be fraught with danger if unfortunate disease conditions make their appearance in livestock. NECROLOGY It is with deep sorrow that we record the death of J. E. Morse. J. E. Morse was appointed a member of the Livestock Sanitary Board in 1921. He was elected president in 1923, and continued as president until early in 1927. We have worked with many stockmen, and never have we had a more loyal supporter in the work of controlling and eradicating livestock diseases than we found in J. E. Morse. We miss his counsel and friend- ship. We miss his kindly word when the path of proper procedure is dim and difficult to follow. We know that his efforts on behalf of the livestock interests of Montana will prove of inestimable value. 14 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD We cherish the memory of his friendship, and trust that his efforts and counsel will continue to bear fruit in the years to come. Respectfully submitted, W. J. BUTLER, Executive Officer Montana Livestock Sanitary Board. STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 15 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST of the MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD for the Biennium December 1, 1926, to November 30, 1928 There is in the state a considerable sale of commercialized feeding mixtures for sheep, cattle and hogs, some of which are put on the market with claims not always consistent with scientific investigation and facts, and such claims are in some instances misleading. The time must come when such traffic has to be controlled through some regu- lation or law in order to protect stockmen and farmers from spending their money for worthless feeding mixtures. Poisoning of livestock due to carelessness and negligence could be greatly reduced or even entirely eliminated if proper care of poisoned baits left over from using for destroying insects and other pests would be exercised. This is particularly true with reference to arsenical and strychnine preparations, which have caused the largest amount of livestock losses. In some instances oats poisoned with strychnine had been stored in the same place with unpoisoned oats and was fed by mistake to livestock with fatal results. Such practice is very thoughtless and dangerous and should never take place. It is equally dangerous and careless to throw unused arsenical poison on places where livestock can have access to it. Several instances of this kind have come under our observation and have caused unnecessary economic losses to stockmen. The indiscriminate disposal of poisonous material is always causing trouble and losses of livestock and therefore such material should be put away in such a manner that livestock can no longer get access to it. It has always been the aim of this department to assist the stockmen and farmers in every possible way without charges to solve some of their problems, and it is highly gratifying to state that constant and increasing use of the laboratory facilities has been made in the past years. Many times the prompt investigation by this department has prevented heavy losses to livestock owners and thereby proved its great value to them. Following is a list of the material analyzed by the chemist during the period from December 1, 1926, to November 30, 1928: Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 478 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Negative 479 Sample of water for watering stock 480 Alfalfa screenings for poisons Negative 481 Cottonseed cake for fat and protein 482 Molasses for impurities MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 483 Liver of cow for nicotine poisoning Negative 484 Sample of butter for metallic impurities 485 Urinary calculi from steer 486 Dog biscuits 487 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Positive 488 Stomach contents of dog for poisons Positive 489 Stomach contents of cattle for poisons Positive 490 Sample of water for watering stock Positive 491 Sample of oats for poisons Negative 492 Sample of feeding salt for impurities 493 Sample of oats for smut Positive 494 Sample of cream for thickening agents Negative 495 Sample of straw for poisons.. Positive 495A Sample of sulphur salt for poisons Negative 495B Stomach contents of cattle for poisons Negative 496 Intestines and blood from horse for poisons Negative 497 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Positive 497A Grain and bran for poisons Negative 498 Stomach contents of calf for poisons Negative 499 Powder found in feed bin for poisons Positive 500 Sample of water from Burnett Creek for impurities.. 501 Sample of water from Burnett Creek 502 Sample of water from Hofstetter Ranch at Lewis- town 503 Sample of stock salt for poisons .....Negative 504 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Positive 505 Powder found on ranch for poisons Positive 505A Paste-like material for poisons Positive 506 Stomach contents of hog for poisons Positive 507 Sample of water for poisons Positive 508 Bones for phosphoric acid 509 Sample of arsenic for percentage strength 510 Stomach contents of cattle for poisons Positive 511 Rumen and liver of cattle for poisons Positive 512 Sack of hay for poisons Negative 512A Hay for poisonous plants Negative 513 Sample of water for arsenic Negative 514 Stomach contents of heifer for poisons Positive 515 Molasses for impurities 516 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Positive 517 Sample of milk for gelatine Negative 518 Stomach contents and organs of steer for poisons.. ..Negative 519 Sample of hay for poisons Negative 520 Mice for arsenic Negative 521 Stomach contents of calf for poisons Negative 522 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 523 Stomach contents of hog for poisons Positive STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 17 Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 524 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 525 Sample of water for fitness of raising fish 526 Stomach contents of cattle for poisons Positive 527 Cream for impurities 528 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 529 Sample of water for fitness of watering stock 530 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 531 Sample of cottonseed cake for protein and fat 532 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Negative 533 Sample of milk for impurities 534 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 535 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 536 Sample of water for impurities, Burnett Creek 537 Sample of water for impurities from overflow of refinery 538 Sample of water for impurities, Burnett Creek 539 Stomach contents of sheep for poisons Negative 540 Meat (pork) to be tested for poisons Negative 541 Sample of cream for impurities 542 Stomach contents of dog for poisons Negative 543 Stomach contents of sheep for poisons Negative 544 Feeding mixture for cattle, general analysis 545 Stomach contents of steer for poisons Negative 546 Disinfecting fluid, general analysis 547 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Positive 548 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Positive 549 Sample of condition powder, general analysis 550 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 551 Stomach contents of dog for poisons Negative 552 Two samples of nitrates for purity 553 Sample of stomach contents of cow for poisons Positive 554 Stomach contents of pig for poisons Negative 555 Stomach contents of calf for poisons Negative 556 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Positive 557 Sample of well water for fitness of watering stock.. 558 Disinfecting fluid 559 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Negative 560 Sample of arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 561 Stomach contents of calves for poisons Negative 562 Stomach contents of horses for poisons Negative 563 Organs of dog for poisons Negative 564 Organs of chicken for poisons Negative 565 Stomach and contents of cow for poisons Positive 566 Sample of oats for poisons Positive 567 Sample of water for watering stock 568 Stomach contents of steer for poisons Positive 569 Stomach contents of cow for poisons Negative 18 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 570 Sample of wild hay for arsenic Negative 571 Sample of water for arsenic Negative 571A Sample of meat for poisons Negative 572 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Positive 573 Oats to be tested for poisons Positive 574 Sample of milk for impurities 575 Three samples of milk for hypochlorites 576 Horse fat, general analysis 577 Stomach contents of cattle for poisons Positive 578 Straw and dirt for poisons Positive 579 Sample of bone meal for feeding purposes 580 Sample of arsenic for purity 581 & 582 Two samples of liver, spleen, etc., of hogs for poisons Negative 583 Stomach of horse for poisons Positive 584 Stomach contents of hog for poisons Negative 585 Sample of water for stock 586 Intestinal contents of a mink for poison Negative 587 Stomach contents of a hog for poisons Negative 588 Coyote poison, chemical analysis 589 Urine of a cow for chemical analysis 590 S'tomach contents of a cow for poison Negative 591 Stomach contents of a dog for poison Negative 592 Stomach contents of a calf for poison Negative 593 Sample of a cow's urine for chemical analysis 0. K. 594 Two samples of skim milk for chemical analysis 595 Sample horse liver for chemical analysis 596 Horse blood for chemical analysis 597 Stomach contents of a horse for poison Negative 598 Sample of liquid soap for purchasing department.... 599 Sample of skim milk for fat per cent O. K. 600 Stomach contents of horse for poisons Negative 601 Milk for foreign matter Negative 602 Worm medicine for animal for chemical analysis 603 Sample of coyote poison for chemical analysis 604 Ken-L-Ration for chemical analysis 605 Flour for chemical analysis O. K. 606 Water for stock use for chemical analysis 607 Two samples of urine from sheep for chemical analysis 608 Stomach contents of a dog for poisons Positive 609 Urine from a cow for chemical analysis 610 Liver and stomach contents of sheep for poisons Negative 611 Stomach contents of a heifer for poisons Positive 612 Stomach contents of a sheep for poisons Negative 613 Water for stock use for chemical analysis 614 Stomach contents of a horse for poisons Positive STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 19 Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 615 S'ample of hay for arsenic Negative 616 Stomach contents of a horse for poison Negative 617 Sample of water for stock use for chemical analysis 618 Sample of crude oil for fitness in dipping cattle 619 Ground feed for horses for poison Positive 620 Stomach of a dog for poison Positive 621 Ewe's milk for chemical analysis 622 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 623 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 624 Stomach contents of a hog for poison Negative 625 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 626 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 627 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 628 Wheat and soil for poisons Negative 629 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 630 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 631 Sample of wheat for arsenic Negative 632 Sample of wheat for arsenic Negative 633 Milk for chemical analysis 634 Stomach contents of a mink for poison Negative 635 Stomach contents of a lamb for poison Positive 636 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 637 Urine of a cow for chemical analysis 637A Water for stock use for chemical analysis 638 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 639 Stomach contents of a dog for poison Positive 640 Chicken feed for poisons Negative 641 Stomach contents of a horse for poison Negative 642 Stomach contents of a cow for poison Positive 643 Stomach contents of a steer for poison Negative 644 Skim milk for fat per cent O. K. 645 Sample of oats for poisons Positive 646 Stomach contents of cattle for poison Positive 647 Stomach contents of cattle for poison Positive 648 Feeding material for poison Positive 649 Stomach contents of cattle for poison Negative 650 Stomach contents of a heifer for poison Positive 651 Stomach contents of a cow for poison Negative 652 Arsenical dip for strength of arsenic 653 Stomach contents of sheep for poison Negative 654 Feeding material for poison Negative 655 Stomach contents of heifer for poison Negative 656 Material forwarded for poisons Positive 657 Stomach contents *of a cow for poisons Positive 658 Water for fitness for raising fish 659 Stomach contents of a cow for poison Positive 660 Stomach contents of a cow for poison Negative 20 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Lab. No. Specimen and Nature of Examination Result 661 Stomach contents of a steer for lead Positive 662 Stomach contents of a sheep for poison Negative 663 Stomach contents of a cow for arsenic Positive 664 Water for fitness for livestock for chemical analysis 665 Stomach contents of a sheep for poisons Negative 666 Water, chemical analysis for poisons Negative 667 Stomach contents of a cow for poisons Positive 668 Stomach contents of a calf for poisons Positive 669 Stomach contents of a sheep for poisons Negative 670 Stomach contents of a sheep for poisons Negative 671 Weeds to be tested for arsenic Positive 672 Stock salt for chemical analysis 673 Stock salt for chemical analysis 674 Stomach contents of a calf for poisons Positive 675 Stomach content of a cow for poisons Negative 676 Stomach contents of a cow for poisons Positive 677 Salt for chemical analysis 678 Water for livestock use for chemical analysis 679 Milk for chemical analysis 680 Stock salt for chemical analysis 681 Water for livestock use for chemical analysis 682 Sample of water and tailings for chemical analysis.. 683 Microscopical analysis of sediment in water 684 Milk, chemical analysis 685 Bones for chemical analysis .... 686 Skim milk powder, chemical analysis 687 Stomach contents of a dog for poisons Positive 688 Liver and spleen of cattle for poisons Negative 689 Stomach contents of a horse for poisons Negative 690 Worm medicine for sheep, chemical analysis 691 Stock condition powder, chemical analysis 692 Stomach contents of a sheep for poison Negative 693 Stomach contents of a sheep for poison Negative 694 Stock food for sheep, chemical analysis 695 Stomach contents of a sheep for poisons Negative 696 Coyote poison, capsules, for chemical analysis 697 Stomach contents of a steer for arsenic Negative 698 Stomach contents of a hog for poisons Negative 699 Milk chemical analysis 700 Stomach content of horse for poisons Negative 701 Stomach contents of a steer for poisons Negative 702 Stomach contents of a dog for poisons Negative 703 Stomach contents of a hog for poisons Negative 704 Stomach contents of a heifer for poisons Negative 705 Stomach contents of a steer for poisons Negative 706 Fourteen samples of water for algae, etc 707 Stomach contents of a hog for poisons Positive STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 21 708 Feed for hogs to be tested for poisons Positive 709 Feed for hogs to be tested for poisons Negative 710 S'tomach contents of a calf for poisons Positive 711 Stomach contents of a calf for poisons Positive 712 Stomach contents of a cow for poisons Negative 713 Stomach contents of a pig for poisons Negative 714 S'tomach contents of a pig for poisons Negative 715 Liver and kidney from a cow for poisons Negative 716 Oats for hydrocyanic acid or other poison Negative 717 Meat to be tested for strychnine Negative 718 Stomach contents and liver of cow for arsenic Negative 719 Stomach contents and organs of a steer for arsenic....Negative 720 Stomach contents of a hog for poisons Negative 721 Stomach and contents of a hog for poisons Positive 722 Sample of cream for adulteration 723 Sample of cream for general analysis During the two year period 485 official and 55 unofficial samples of milk and cream have been examined by the chemist for butterfat, solids, preservatives, thickening agents and visible dirt. These samples were taken by inspectors from the retail dairymen's wagons and supply depots. While there is always room for improvement and bettering of existing conditions, yet it must be said that the retail milk supply in our state is up to a very creditable standard of quality. With very few exceptions, the milk and cream samples were found to be in conformity with the required standards of purity and quality as prescribed by the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board. Respectfully submitted, EMIL STARZ, Chemist. 22 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD THE REPORT OF THE PATHOLOGICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY for 1927 and 1928 During the two-year period ending November 30, 1928, the work of the pathological and bacteriological laboratory has continued along the lines which have been followed since the laboratory was opened in 1919. The primary function of this department has been that of labora- tory diagnosis on specimens received from veterinarians and stockmen, for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the Livestock Sanitary Board in the control of diseases of livestock, and of assisting the veter- inarians in arriving at correct diagnoses. From December 1, 1926, to November 30, 1928, 1947 specimens have been examined, consisting of tissues, blood serum, pus, skin scrapings, feces, internal parasites, poisonous plants, feeds, meat, milk, cream, and water. The species of animals represented are horses, cattle, sheep, swine, chickens, turkeys, ducks, dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, mink, beaver, raccoon, marten, antelope, mountain sheep, brant, fish and man. In making the examinations the methods used have included cultures, ani- mal inoculations, direct microscopical examination, serological tests, and histological examination. The following is a classified list of the examinations made, giving the number of positive and negative diagnoses for each condition: Positive Negative Abortion, infections, bovine 276 799 Abortion, infectious, swine Abortion, vibrionic, sheep Abortus infection, man Actinomycosis Anthrax Apoplectiform septicemia, chicken Arsenic poisoning Arthritis, infectious Bacillary white diarrhea Blackleg, cattle Blackleg, sheep Botulism Cephenomyiasis, deer Coccidiosis, cattle Coccidiosis, chickens Coccidiosis, dog Coccidiosis, rabbit Coccidiosis, sheep Dysentery in lambs Enteritis, chicken Enteritis, necrotic, swine 0 5 1 10 1 9 6 0 1 5 1 0 1 1 1 0 6 43 11 8 0 3 0 4 1 0 4 3 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 6 0 1 0 3 0 STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 23 Entero-hepatitis Fibrillar muscle rupture Fibrosarcoma Fluke infestation in trout Fowl cholera Fowl typhoid Glanders Goitre Hemorrhagic septicemia Hepatitis Hog cholera Liver abcess Lymphatic leukemia Malignant edema Malnutrition Mammitis, infectious Necrobacillosis Nephritis Oestrus ovis infestation Papilloma Pediculosis Pneumonia, npn-specific Pneumonia, B. pyogenes Pneumonia, progressive, in sheep .. Pneumonia, verminous Preparturient paresis Rabies Ringworm Roup Sarcoma Sarcosporidiosis Scabies, chorioptic, cattle Scabies, psoroptic, cattle Scabies, psoroptic, sheep Scabies, psoroptic, mountain sheep Scabies, sarcoptic, cattle Scabies, sarcoptic, horse Scabies, sarcoptic, swine Scabies, fox Scabies, raccoon Scurvy Seborrhea Strychnine poisoning Tick paralysis Trichinosis Tuberculosis, avian Tuberculosis, bovine Tuberculosis, porcine Positive Negat 7 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 2 4 1 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 4 1 1 ' 0 2 3 13 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 5 0 9 0 6 0 7 0 1 0 0 7 4 1 4 1 4 0 1 0 2 0 6 18 0 2 5 1 4 5 0 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 14 4 42 19 4 2 24 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Positive Negative Urethral calculi 1 0 Urticaria 1 0 White muscle disease in lambs 1 0 Worms, intestinal 65 17 Miscellaneous 70 Totals 569 1060 Milk, for bacterial count 258 Milk, for pathogenic bacteria 41 Milk, chemical 1 Cream, bacterial count 2 Meat, for fitness for food 7 Water, bacteriological 4 Plants, for identification 5 318 Total specimens 1947 In addition to the routine diagnostic work, a number of special field and laboratory investigations have been made, which have helped to clear up a number of problems in connection with livestock disease. One of these investigations of particular interest was a trip into Glacier Park in January, 1927, to determine the cause of losses among mountain sheep. The results of this investigation have an important bearing on our study of diseases of domestic sheep. In cooperation with the field veterinarians several special tuber- culin tests have been made on large herds, in an attempt to clear up some unsolved questions pertaining to this test. This was in connection with so-called skin lesion cases of tuberculosis, on which laboratory in- vestigations have been in progress for several years, and which have produced certain definite results. The experimental work on blackleg in sheep, carried out in co- operation with the Experiment Station at Bozeman, has been completed, and a report has been submitted to the Journal of the American Veter- inary Medical Association for publication in the December, 1928, number. A joint paper by E. V. Cowdry, of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and H. Marsh, on sheep pneumonia was published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. A bulletin on "lunger" sheep has been published jointly, by the Montana Experiment Station and this office. A paper on sheep diseases was read at the 1928 meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association. W. F. Cashmore, assistant in this laboratory, did the bacteriological work for a milk survey made by the American Child Health Association in Montana. Respectfully submitted, HADLEIGH MARSH, Pathologist and Bacteriologist. STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 25 SUMMARY OF WORK, 1927-1928 Including Co-operative Work with the United States Bureau of Animal Industry. INVESTIGATIONS SYNOPTICALLY ARRANGED HORSES Dourine, 1927 Number horses blood tested '. 1,919 Number reacting to test 22 Dourine, 1928 Number of horses blood tested 1,627 Number reacting to test 18 Glanders, 1927 Number of horses reported and suspected of being affected with glanders, mallein tested 128 Number reacting to test 3 Glanders, 1928 Number of horses reported and suspected of being affected with glanders, mallein tested 15 Number reacting to test None Miscellaneous Inspections, 1927 Number of horses inspected for miscellaneous diseases 1,876 Miscellaneous Inspections, 1928 Number of horses inspected for miscellaneous diseases 714 Scabies, 1928 *Number of horses inspected for scabies 31,455 *Number of horses dipped for scabies, 1st, 2d, and 3d dippings.... 30,490 (*Blackfeet Indian Reservation) Importation Inspections, 1927 Number of horses clinically inspected and mallein tested at des- tination 148 Number reacting to test None Importation Inspections, 1928 Number of horses clinically inspected and mallein tested at des- tination 154 Number reacting to test None 26 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Inspections for Interstate Shipment, 1927 Number of horses inspected for interstate shipment 11,291 Number of horses clinically inspected for shipment 1,430 Number reacting to test None Inspections for Interstate Shipment, 1928 Number of horses inspected for interstate shipment 8,388 Number of horses clinically inspected for shipment 2,277 Number of horses inspected, 1927 16,792 Number of horses inspected, 1928 85,785 TOTAL NUMBER HORSES INSPECTED, 1927-1928 102,577 CATTLE Tuberculosis, 1927 Number of dairy cattle inspected for tuberculosis, 1927 100,803 Number reacting to test 331 Percentage of reactors, dairy cattle 0.33 Tuberculosis, 1928 Number of dairy cattle inspected for tuberculosis, 1928 90,251 Number reacting to test 287 Percentage of reactors, dairy cattle 0.30 Accredited Tuberculosis Free Herds, 1927 Number of cattle tested for accredited herd 7,623 Number reacting to test None Accredited Tuberculosis Free Herds, 1928 Number of cattle tested for accredited herd 4,831 Number reacting to test None Retests of Imported Cattle, 1927 Sixty-ninety day retests of cattle imported 860 Number reacting to test 4 Percentage of reactors 0.46 Retests of Imported Cattle, 1928 Sixty-ninety day retests of cattle imported 1,290 Number reacting to test 2 Percentage of reactors 0.10 Tests of Cattle Tested at Port of Entry, 1927 Number of cattle tested at Port of Entry 5,059 Number reacting to test 6 Percentage - 0.10 STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 27 Tests of Cattle Tested at Port of Entry, 1928 Number of cattle tested at Port of Entry 1,344 Number reacting to test 3 Percentage of reactors 0.022 Tests for Interstate Shipment, 1927 Number of cattle tested for shipment 748 Number reacting to test None Tests for Interstate Shipment, 1928 Number of cattle tested for shipment 1,778 Number reacting to test 5 Percentage of reactors 0.03 TOTAL NUMBER OF CATTLE TESTED FOR TUBERCULO- SIS, 1927, 1928 214,587 TOTAL NUMBER OF REACTORS 638 PERCENTAGE OF REACTORS, 1927 0.30 PERCENTAGE OF REACTORS, 1928 0.29 Cattle Scabies, 1927 Number of cattle inspected for scabies 95,879 Number of cattle inspected and dipped, including first and sec- ond dippings 33,621 Total number of cattle inspected for scabies 129,500 Cattle Scabies, 1928 *Number of cattle inspected for scabies 92,592 *Number of cattle inspected and dipped, first and second dippings 19,034 Number of cattle inspected for scabies, exclusive Crow Indian Reservation 47,165 Number of cattle inspected and dipped, exclusive of Crow Indian Reservation, including first and second dippings 1,180 Miscellaneous Cattle Inspections, 1927 Number of cattle inspected for miscellaneous diseases 9,468 Miscellaneous Cattle Inspections, 1928 Number of cattle inspected for miscellaneous diseases 24,737 Importation Inspections, 1927 Number of cattle clinically inspected upon arrival in State 5,018 Importation Inspections, 1928 Number of cattle clinically inspected upon arrival in State 6,662 Inspections for Interstate Shipment, 1927 Number of cattle clinically inspected for interstate shipment 5,683 (*Crow Indian Reservation) 28 MONTANA LIVESTOCK SANITARY BOARD Total Number of Cattle Inspected, 1927 264,762 Total Number of Cattle Inspected, 1928 265,168 TOTAL NUMBER OF CATTLE INSPECTED, 1927-1928 529,930 SHEEP Scabies and Miscellaneous Diseases, 1927 Number of sheep inspected for scabies and miscellaneous diseases 155,649 Number found affected with scabies None Scabies and Miscellaneous Diseases, 1928 Number of sheep inspected for scabies and miscellaneous diseases 383,223 Number found affected with scabies None Importation Inspections, 1927 Number of sheep inspected and quarantined 130,323 Number of sheep dipped and quarantined, including first and sec- ond dippings 4,332 Re-inspections of imported sheep 72,853 Importation Inspections, 1928 Number of sheep inspected and quarantined 144,181 Number of sheep dipped and quarantined, including first and sec- ond dippings 2 Re-inspections of imported sheep 139,028 Inspections for Interstate Shipment, 1927 Number of sheep inspected for interstate shipment 390,354 Inspections for Interstate Shipment, 1928 Number of sheep inspected for interstate shipment 472,793 Number of sheep inspections, 1927 753,511 Number of sheep inspections, 1928 1,139,165 TOTAL NUMBER OF SHEEP INSPECTED, 1927-1928 1,892,676 SWINE, 1927 Number of swine inspected for various diseases, including hog cholera 12,700 Number of premises infected with hog cholera 21 Number of swine inspected for interstate shipment 1,019 Swine, 1928 Number of swine inspected for various diseases, including hog cholera 9,971 Number of premises infected with hog cholera 38 STATE VETERINARY SURGEON 29 Number of swine inspected for interstate shipment 1,793 Total number of swine inspected, 1927 13,719 Total number swine inspected, 1928 11,802 TOTAL NUMBER SWINE INSPECTED, 1927-1928 25,621 POULTRY, 1927 . Number of fowls inspected for tuberculosis and various diseases.. 115,892 Poultry, 1928 Number of fowls inspected for tuberculosis and various diseases.. 122,697 DOGS, 1927 Number of dogs inspected for various diseases 858 Number suffering from rabies None Number of dogs inspected for interstate shipment 175 Dogs, 1928 Number of dogs inspected for various diseases 806 Number suffering from rabies None Number of dogs inspected for interstate shipment 260 GRAND TOTALS TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS INSPECTED, 1927 1,165,709 TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS INSPECTED, 1928 1,625,656 TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS INSPECTED, 1927-1928 2,791,365 NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELED BY DISTRICT DEPUTIES AND SHEEP INSPECTORS, 1927— Auto Railway Foot Horseback Team 76,469 9,833 33 177 212 Estimated number of miles traveled by resident deputies 12,100 Number of Miles Traveled, 1927 98,824 NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELED BY DISTRICT DEPUTIES AND SHEEP INSPECTORS, 1928— Auto Railway Foot Horseback Team 91,175 9,361 15 32 192 Estimated number of miles traveled by resident deputies 15,300 Number of Miles Traveled, 1928 116,075 TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELED, 1927-1928 214,899 INOfNWWH HOl-ICOt-IOOi-ICiCO IHWIOt-i IMHtOt-OHOllO : rt CM O : i- : co : :© i 1 N © cnco CO 1-1 cs : : i-i t- : cm to *hco 1 "i-T 1 y-l CM CM : : : co : : »-i : : : ■ | |oo : : o oo o o : : *-< •*• CM OS ( ; jo ) : cm-h us 00 : co cm Ca : e» o cm : : i-h cm CM c- CO lO r-l CM t- CO CM CM 00 co O — ■ H O - 2 Tt O N H N CM CO .-1 .-ICO ■*? ,H CO t- Tf SO 1 eg cm ■-( t» CO IB o CM t- CO CO CM : : oo io : : -h cm : : cm i : ■*)> o : : o oo :•* :cm co : 1 | CO lO CM 1~* : e» to : : 1-hcm t-H 00 t- : cm \a : co ■* 1-1 cm : CO o o a* « CI 0 3 a as iHlOlOHrtt-O «m rt J; c ~ c.2 c a rt o o oooo Ml o2s i a .2 ** 'So "g * § £'3 S.S.S.S-S S §^2 2 £ § £ I 5 | 8-S S