REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 49 



NECROBACILLOSIS IN SHEEP. 



About two years ago a form of necrobacillosis, known as lip-and- 

 leg ulceration of sheep, appeared in Wyoming in such a malignant 

 form and spread to such an extent as to necessitate a Federal quar- 

 antine in August, 1909. The Bureau of Animal Industry has made 

 scientific and practical studies of this disease and of methods of treat- 

 ment, and has conferred and cooperated with sheepmen and state 

 authorities in repressing it, with the result that its prevalence has 

 been greatly reduced. The drought of the past season has afforded 

 favorable conditions for combating the disease and has also no doubt 

 contributed somewhat to the good results. A circular describing the 

 disease and recommending methods of treatment was prepared and 

 issued by the Bureau and has been widely circulated in the affected 

 region. The Bureau has also kept a force of veterinarians in the 

 field to assist in treating the disease as well as to enforce the quar- 

 antine. About one-fourth of the quarantined area has been released, 

 and the number of cases of the disease in the territory remaining in 

 quarantine has been greatly reduced, besides which the extension of 

 the disease to other sections has been prevented. 



BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



It has been well known in recent years that tuberculosis exists to a 

 considerable extent among the cattle of the United States, especially 

 among dairy cattle, and that where no adequate steps have been 

 taken for the suppression of this disease it has increased in prevalence 

 and extended to hogs. During the past two years the Department 

 has made special investigations to determine the prevalence and 

 extent of tuberculosis among cattle of various parts of the country, 

 and has studied methods of eradication. The Bureau of Animal 

 Industry has given active aid to state and municipal authorities 

 and to individuals in suppressing this disease. 



As the District of Columbia is under the jurisdiction of the Federal 

 Government, it was thought well to undertake the eradication of 

 tuberculosis from the cattle of the District, both in the interest of a 

 wholesome milk supply and as a demonstration of what could be 

 accomplished by certain methods of dealing with the disease. A 

 cooperative arrangement was entered into with the Commissioners 

 of the District, whereby all the cattle in the District were tested with 

 tuberculin and those that reacted were slaughtered under inspec- 

 tion. Condemned cattle were appraised before slaughter, and 

 reimbursement was made to the owners from Department funds on 

 a scale depending upon the result of post-mortem examination. 

 Over 18 per cent of the cattle in the District gave reactions to the 

 tuberculin test, and in 98^ per cent of these the lesions of tubercu- 



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