22 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



cupidity; in others, to novel situations presented by the unexpected 

 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. 



There seems to be a widespread belief that the products of a 

 licensed establishment in some way are certified or guaranteed by 

 the Federal Government. Under the existing system it has not 

 been possible for the department to assure users of the quality of 

 such articles. The business of serum, production is such that super- 

 visory inspection alone, without complete control, and with power 

 to penalize violations of the law only by revocation of licenses or 

 by prosecution, is not sufficient to warrant the assumption by the 

 Government of responsibility for the products. 



Control of serum production. — The recent cases of infection of 

 serum and virus with foot-and-mouth disease indicate that some more 

 effective form of control over serum production is most desirable. It 

 has been suggested that the object could be accomplished by Govern- 

 ment ownership. While there is much to be said in favor of such 

 a plan, it seems doubtful whether it would be practicable. Cer- 

 tainly it would seem unwise for the Government to produce 

 the material unless it could control the entire output. Recent informa- 

 tion shows that 21 States have established plants and now are engaged 

 in the production of serum on a comparatively large scale. It is a 

 question whether these States, with their active organizations, would 

 wish or consent to discontinue the work. Aside from this, the pur- 

 chase of the establishments now in existence and the erection of 

 others by the Federal Government would necessitate a large out- 

 lay. Even though this expenditure were made, it must be remem- 

 bered that Government officials are liable to error, and that Federal 

 manufacture, though it secured honesty of methods, would not serve 

 as a guaranty that no contaminated or worthless serum would be 

 sold. 



Government test station. — As a substitute for Government owner- 

 ship, the following plan merits careful consideration : 



(1) Continue the inspection service as at present constituted under 

 the act of 1913, maintaining a sufficient force of inspectors so that 

 all important processes of licensed establishments may be carried 

 out under the constant supervision of department employees; and 

 require that all products after preparation be securely locked up by 

 employees of the department, whose duty it shall be to withdraw 

 representative samples. 



