BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 81 



disease had spread over a large range of territory, and by the last 

 of November it was found necessary to quarantine 20 States and the 

 District of Columbia. 



The source of the outbreak, which started near Niles, Mich., has 

 never been definitely determined, and actual proof will probably 

 never be obtained, although the infection was undoubtedly introduced 

 in some way from abroad. 



Arrangements were rapidly made at the beginning of the outbreak 

 with the various State officials for cooperation in the work of eradica- 

 tion and the adjustment of fiscal losses. These agreements have in 

 nearly every instance proved mutually satisfactory, and the aid given 

 by the States has been of a generous and valuable nature. The cost 

 of reimbursement for animals slaughtered and the expenses of slaugh- 

 ter, burial, disinfection, etc., have been chiefly divided on a 50 per 

 cent basis between the State and Federal Governments. Owing to 

 the nature of the work and other conditions, the farm-to-farm in- 

 spection, stockyard and railway supervision, and much of the actual 

 physical labor, as well as much of the work of direction, have de- 

 volved upon the Federal inspectors, although considerable assistance 

 has been rendered by veterinarians and others employed by the States. 



METHODS OF ERADICATION. 



At the beginning of the outbreak all shipments from the Union 

 Stockyards at Chicago and from other infected centers were, as far 

 as possible, traced to their destinations by means of wa3^bills, sales 

 slips, etc. All such animals were placed under immediate quarantine, 

 pending examination and surveillance. 



The method of slaughter of all infected and exposed animals, used 

 successfully in this country in previous outbreaks, and which has 

 universally been found to be the only effective means of eradication, 

 was adopted. Infected herds were appraised, slaughtered by shoot- 

 ing, and buried as rapidly as trenches could be dug for the reception 

 of the carcasses. In a few instances carcasses were disposed of by 

 tanking or by burning. 



Animals were appraised at their actual meat or dairy value by rep- 

 resentatives of the State and Federal Governments. The appraising 

 was usually done in the presence of the owner or his representative, 

 and every effort was made to insure honest treatment to all parties 

 concerned. Contracts for the burial trenches were let to the owner 

 of the infected herd, whenever possible, at an agreed price for the 

 work. Before being covered with earth hides were slashed and the 

 carcasses eviscerated, after which a liberal sprinkling of unslaked 

 lime was applied. 



As each focus of infection was located veterinary inspectors were 

 sent out to examine all susceptible animals within a radius of from 

 3 to 5 miles, the distance being determined by the nature of the en- 

 vironment and other conditions. 



Inspectors and other employees engaged in eradicating foot-and- 

 mouth disease are required to wear rubber outer clothing, which may 

 be easily w-ashed with disinfectants, and^ to fumigate and disinfect 

 themselves upon leaving premises containing animals, whether found 

 infected or not. In this manner the possibility of their spreading the 

 disease is prevented. 



22814°— AGE 1915 6 



