126 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



antigen for complement-fixation tests of patients suspected of 

 hydatid disease. 



MISCELLANEOUS DIVISION. 



The work of the Miscellaneous Division, under A. M. Farrington, 

 chief, relates to the personnel of the bureau arid to veterinary education. 



BUREAU PERSONNEL. 



The numerous changes due to war conditions have brought about 

 a heavy increase in the correspondence and other work relative to 

 civil-service examinations for positions in the bureau, appointments 

 to such positions, promotions, demotions, transfers, removals, the 

 furlough of employees on account of military service, the conduct of 

 employees as to efficiency, the acceptance of outside employment, 

 and other similar subjects. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year the persons in the employ of 

 the bureau numbered 4,211. During the year there were 2,136 addi- 

 tions, made up as follows: Appointments, 2,044; transfers from 

 other branches of the Government service, 30; reinstatements, 62. 

 During the same period there were 1,126 separations from the serv- 

 ice, divided as follows: Resignations, 756; deaths, 32; removals for 

 cause, 8; transfers to other bureaus or departments of the Govern- 

 ment, 30; all other separations, 300. This last item includes ter- 

 minations of appointments by limitation or for administrative rea- 

 sons exclusive of separation for disciplinary reasons. At the end of 

 the fiscal vear the bureau personnel numbered 5,221, a net increase 

 of 1,010 over the number a year before. The total number of em- 

 ployees who have left the bureau for military service up to the end 

 of the fiscal year is 325. 



During the year nine civil-service examinations were requested 

 and subjects and weights were furnished to the Civil Service Com- 

 mission. 



For the first time in the history of the bureau, women have been 

 appointed to assist in meat-inspection work at the packing houses 

 because men were not available. This plan has proved to be so 

 successful that steps have been taken to establish a civil-service 

 register of women eligible for ap])ointment to such positions in the 

 future. Women also have been employed, under the direction of 

 the Dairy Division, in creating an interest in the manufacture of 

 cottage cheese for the purpose of conserving the food supply and 

 bringing to the attention of the public the importance of dairy 

 products as a source of food. 



VETERINARY EDUCATION 



The 3^ear 1918 has marked a distinct epoch in the education of 

 veterinarians for the Government service. In consequence of the 

 war a large number have been employed by the War Department 

 in the veterinary corps of the Army. On the recommendation of 

 the War Department, with the cooperation of the Department of 

 Agriculture, the Civil Service Commission, and the committee on 

 intelligence and education of the American Veterinary Medical 

 Association, it was agreed, beginning with the 1918-19 session, to 

 raise the entrance requirements of veterinary colleges to two years' 



