128 ANNUAL, REPORT OP THE Off. Doc. 



As iu previous years, a large proportion of the cases were found 

 iu Philadelphia. Considerably fewer cases were found in Phila- 

 delphia in 11)08 than in the previous year. The proprietors of the 

 sales stable 'and bazaars have generally coiue to realize the in- 

 sidious and infectious nature of the disease, and the cleaning, dis- 

 infection and whitewashing of these establishments, as well as of 

 horseshoeing shops, was more generally done during the year than 

 in any preceding year, and has no doubt had much to do with 

 bringing about the improved condition. Horse owners are also 

 better informed regarding the disease, and this has also been of 

 great assistance in controlling it. The arrest of several person'^ 

 who violated the quarantine, 'and of one veterinarian who failed to 

 report the disease, has had a wholesome effect on those persons who 

 were disposed to interfere or nullify the eii'orts to suppress the 

 disease. 



The number of cases in each of the other counties mentioned was 

 quite small; these were in many instances horses that had been 

 recently shipped iu or that had been exposed to infection by such 

 horses. 



The continuance of the disease is not due to the persistence of 

 old causes but to the introduction of fresh infection by Western 

 stock. This latter fact, and the failure of owners to recognize the 

 disease as contagious, are the two principal difficulties in the way 

 of the suppression of the disease. In nineteen of the horses 

 atiected the disease had b?en permitted to run its course for 

 such a long period that they were in such condition as to be 

 incurable and had to be destroyed to prevent other horses or mules 

 from being affected. The other cases were cured with the lime 

 and sulphur treatment described in the report of 1906. 



Other diseases of minor importance have been encountered dur- 

 ing the year in investigating numerous reports from various sources, 

 but have not been classified above on account of their miscellaneous 

 character. The correspondence of the office with farmers, dairy- 

 men, livestock owners, veterinarians, and others has been very 

 voluminous and it has frequently been necessary for the office force 

 to work after the usual office hours. This was particularly the 

 case in the latter part of the year, after the discovery of foot-and- 

 mouth disease, during which period the office was kept open every 

 day, Sundays included, from 7 a. m., until midnight. The members 

 of the office force are deserving of hearty commendation for the 

 manner in which they met these extra demands upon their services. 



Very respectfully, 



LOUIS A. KLEIN, 

 Deputy State Veterinarian. 



