BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



77 



eradication AYork can be used for operating expenses, the remaining 

 two-thirds being allotted for the payment of indemnities. A re- 

 versal of the ratio, making available two-thirds for operating ex- 

 penses, would increase greatly the progress of the work. Necessarily 

 the diseased animals must be found before indemnity can be paid, 

 and when only a few animals in a large herd react to the test the op- 

 erating expenses exceed the Federal share of indemnity. Yet, find- 

 ing those lew reactors promptly before the disease spreads is essen- 

 tial to maintain the herd in a healthy condition. 



The bureau now conducts tuberculosis-eradication work coopera- 

 tively with the officials of 43 States, and negotiations are in progress 

 to extend the work to others. The District of Columbia is an ex- 

 cellent example showing that the disease is vulnerable to a definite 

 campaign of eradication. In 1907 tuberculin testing in the District 

 was undertaken, and more than 18 per cent of the cattle were found 

 to be tuberculous. Tests made in 1919 on all cattle in the District 

 showed a percentage of only 0.63 of 1 per cent affected. This is 

 lower thixn in any previous year, and the disposal of the last reactors 

 makes the District practically a tuberculosis-free area. 



SECOND ACCREDITED LIST ISSUED. 



During the year the bureau issued Herd List No. 2 of cattle offi- 

 cially accredited as free from tuberculosis and containing also a list 

 of herds that successfully passed one test with a view to certifica- 

 tion. Compared with list No. 1. dated July 1, 1918, the second list 

 shows notcAvorthy progress as follows: 



Accredited-herd list summary. 



List. 



List No. 1, .Tuly 1, 1918.. 

 List No. 2, April 1, 1919. 



Cattle 

 accredited. 



6,945 

 19,021 



Cattle 

 once 



tested 

 without 

 reactors. 



22,212 

 97,243 



From April 1 to the end of the fiscal year further progress was 

 made, and the work is receiving hearty support from live-stock 

 owners and officials. 



CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE OF REGULATORY WORK. 



Disease eradication is the basis of ample production and in final 

 analysis of liberal consumption and proper nutrition. If the live- 

 stock men of the country had to contend with pleuropneumonia, 

 foot-and-mouth disease, surra, rinderpest, and other animal scourges 

 on top of their present problems, production certainly would fall 

 and consumption would be curtailed by reason of high prices neces- 

 sary to cover the risks of production. Fortunately, this list of dis- 

 eases may be considered a problem already solved. They do not 

 exist in this country and the bureau is on the alert to keep them out. 



