312 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



from tho introduction of diseases from abroad. This disease has long 

 prevailed on the Continent of Eiiro|)e, Although Great Britain is 

 separated from the Continent by water, still foot-and-mouth disease 

 gains access there occasionally in spite of the vigilance of the authori- 

 ties. A S(n'ies of outbreaks there for more than a year has caused us 

 to withhold permission for the importation of stock from that coun- 

 try. The British authorities have so far been unable to determine the 

 means of the introduction of the contagion. A commission appointed 

 to study this question has suggested, among other things, the carrying 

 of the disease by birds. Buzzards have long been known as carriers 

 of disease, and no doubt many outbreaks of anthrax and hog cholera 

 in the United States, especially in the South, are due to those and 

 other birds. 



In the early part of 1912 a veterinary inspector (Dr. Cooper Cur- 

 tice) was sent by the bureau to Santo Domingo to ascertain whether 

 or not cattle-fever ticks exist there, as it was desired to import cattle 

 from that country into the United States. The tick was found to be 

 present, so importations can not be permitted under the law. A 

 • report by Dr. Curtice on live-stock conditions in Santo Domingo is 

 being i^repared for publication. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE LIVE-STOCK SANITARY FORCES. 



The eradication of diseases of live stock is a subject that concerns 

 both Federal and State Governments, and is very proj^erly a mat- 

 ter of joint action, as it has been made in much of the work so far 

 done. "Wliile it is the purpose of the bureau to continue its coop- 

 erative efforts for the eradication of diseases of animals in any of the 

 States and to guard against the spread of contagion from one State 

 to another, it is highly important that each State should provide a 

 completely organized live-stock sanitary force, invested Avith adequate 

 legal powers, equipped w^ith laboratory facilities, and provided with 

 sufficient funds to meet any ordinary outbreak of disease. Many of 

 the States whose agricultural assets are largely in the form of live 

 stock have scarcely any such organization, and the funds provided 

 are sometimes not more than enough to pay the salaries and traveling 

 expenses of its several officers, there being no provision whatever for 

 funds for the eradication of an outbreak of disease that may occur 

 at any time. A fully equipped service as above suggested would be 

 a valuable asset to any State ; it would operate as an effective insur- 

 ance against live-stock losses and Avould be a direct means of increas- 

 ing the value of stock farms in the State. 



THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUREBRED HERDS FREE OF 



TUBERCULOSIS. 



It seems very desirable that the department should undertake to 

 encourage and assist the raisers of purebred cattle in establishing 

 herds that are absolutely free of tuberculosis and to which the depart- 

 ment can certify as such. This, in my opinion, would greatly stimu- 

 late the eradication of the disease and at the same time to a great 

 extent prevent the constant spread of the disease and its introduction 

 into many clean herds through the purchase of purebred stock. 



