136 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Wliile the buroiui has practically discontinued troatiM<i- hoos in 

 localities where the services of veterinarians are available, there are 

 sections, particularly in the Southern States, where such service is 

 not to be had, and in such districts bureau inspectors still render a 

 certain amount of personal service in checkin«2: outbreaks of cholera. 

 Laymen have been trained to administer treatment for cholera 

 in these sections where the laws of the State permit. In the prin- 

 cipal hog-raising States well supplied with veterinarj^ practitioners 

 the work has been of an advisory and supervisory character. Out- 

 breaks of hog cholera reported by county agents, veterinarians, 

 farmers, and others are investigated, so far as the available number 

 of men will permit, diagnoses are made, and advice is given as to 

 method of treatment, cleaning, disinfecting, etc. The work of vet- 

 erinary practitioners in the application of serum and virus has been 

 supervised as much as possible and faulty technique corrected. 

 AYliere laws are adequate and enforced, infected farms are placed 

 under quarantine until the herd has entirely recovered and dead 

 animals have been properly disposed of and the premises cleaned 

 and disinfected. The lack of attention on the part of swine owners 

 to the cleaning and disinfection of premises following outbreaks 

 of cholera is one of the many handicaps in the way of ultimate 

 eradication. 



During most of the year 140 veterinarians were assigned to the 

 work against hog cholera. In the course of their activities 1,005 

 meetings were held, with an attendance of 62,144 persons ; 3,037 dem- 

 onstrations in the use of the serum treatment were given, in which 

 347,702 hogs were treated; 31,557 investigations Avere made, 10,963 

 autopsies held, 6,129 farms quarantined, 2,099 farms cleaned and 

 disinfected, 46,125 farms visited, 200,034 personal interviews held, 

 472 persons trained in the application of the serum treatment, and 

 360,354 hogs were treated under the supervision of bureau veter- 

 inarians. There were reported to the inspectors in the field from 

 various sources 9,788 outbreaks of hog cholera. With prompt atten- 

 tion and adequate cooperation the spread of infection from these 

 original outbreaks was overcome. 



A reduction in the appropriation for the work against hog cholera 

 during the coming fiscal year has made necessary a considerable cur- 

 tailment in the force of inspectors and the almost complete cessa- 

 tion of what were termed educational activities. The bureau is 

 confronted with a difficult problem in endeavoring to hold the ad- 

 vantage already won and keep the contagion in check with a reduced 



force. 



PATHOLOGICAL DIVISION. 



The Pathological Division, under the direction of Dr. John S. 

 Buckley, chief, has continued the scientific investigation of diseases 

 of animals and the study of the poisoning of livestock by plants, 

 and has examined viruses, serums, and other remedies for the treat- 

 ment or prevention of various ailments in domestic animals. 



INFECTIOUS ABORTION. 



In seeking practical means of combating abortion disease of cattle, 

 efforts have been continued along the lines of artificial immuniza- 



