BUREAU OF ANIM.AJL. INDUSTRY. 253 



The following is a summary of all the tuberculin tests applied 

 under the supervision of the Bureau during the fiscal year in connec- 

 tion with the work hereinbefore re])orted, also including tests applied 

 in the District of Columbia as hereinafter reported : 



Number of cattle tested 45.620 



Number apparently free from tuberculosis 42,361 



Number of reactors and suspects 3.250 



Percentage of reactors and suspects 7.14 



This summary, compared with that of the preceding year, shows an 

 increase of 36,811 in the number of cattle tested. 



THE ERADICATION OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



In cooperation with the Commissioners of the District of Columbia 

 the eradication of tuberculosis of cattle in the District was undertaken 

 in the fall of 1909. 



On November 26, 1909, there was issued an " Order of the Commis- 

 sioners of the District of Columbia for the Suppression and Preven- 

 tion of Tuberculosis in Cattle,*' which order was approved by the 

 Secretary of Agriculture, and work was begun November 29 by the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry through the Quarantine Division. The 

 principal features of the order were as follows : 



Owners of cattle were required to obtain a permit for the entry 

 of cattle into the District of Columbia. When not accompanied by 

 a satisfactory official tuberculin test chart, cattle were to be quaran- 

 tined until tested within the District. All cattle entering the District 

 for slaughter were required to be tagged for identification, the tag 

 to remain attached to the hide until removed in the presence of a 

 Bureau employee. All cattle over 6 months old already wnthin the 

 District of Cohimbia were required to be inspected and tested with 

 tuberculin, and reacting animals were to be slaughtered. Provision 

 was made for the appraisement of reacting cattle, and for partial 

 reimbursement upon a percentage basis, depending upon whether or 

 not the tuberculous lesions found upon post-mortem examination were 

 slight and localized, or extensive and requiring the condemnation of 

 the carcass to the fertilizer tank, the amount received from the sale 

 of the carcass or hide being deducted from the proper percentage of 

 the appraised value, the remainder, if any, being paid to the owner 

 of the cattle. All premises upon which tuberculous animals had been 

 kept were required to be promptly disinfected under official super- 

 vision. Provision was likewise made to prevent the illegal entry of 

 cattle into the District and for punishment in case of violations. 



In order to systematize the work it was started in the southeastern 

 corner of the District, and a designated area was canvassed with a 

 view to ascertaining the number, location, and ownership of all bovine 

 animals therein. Six veterinary inspectors were then assigned to 

 apj)ly the tests. This method of procedure was followed until the 

 testing of all cattle Avithin the District of Columbia was once covered, 

 namely, to April 2, 1910. Meanwhile all cattle, including calves, 

 entering the District of Columbia from Maryland and Virginia or 

 other States were identified, tagged, and permittetl entry in accord- 

 ance with the order of the commissioners. On March 5, 1910, an 

 amendment was issued to the order of the commissioners, in accord- 

 ance with which calves under six months old and castrated cattle were 

 permitted entry for slaughter purposes without restrictions. 



