REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 15 



spread of the disease was disposed of in February, 1916. The infec- 

 tion reappeared, however, early in May among some test animals on a 

 previously infected farm. These animals had been placed there to 

 determine, before the owner was allowed to restock his farm, whether 

 the disinfection was effective. As the cleaning and disinfection of 

 these premises had been done under very unfavorable weather condi- 

 tions, the outbreak was not entirely unexpected. The diseased ani- 

 mals were slaughtered promptly and the premises again disinfected. 

 There has been on recurrence of the disease anywhere in the United 

 States. The last quarantine restrictions were removed June 5, 1916. 

 Supervision by veterinary inspectors has been continued in the lately 

 infected areas after removal of quarantine, as a precaution against 

 any infection that may have remained. 



This outbreak was the most serious invasion of this disease that has 

 ever menaced the live-stock industry of the country. It was over- 

 come only after a hard struggle in which the authorities of the va- 

 rious States affected cooperated cordially with the Federal Govern- 

 ment. We are fortunate to have escaped with no greater losses. 

 Other countries have been unable to eradicate the disease after it has 

 gained a foothold and have to endure constant heavy losses. As a 

 protection against future outbreaks of this or other diseases of a 

 character to threaten seriously the live-stock industry, Congress has 

 made a special appropriation of $1,250,000. It also has provided, 

 upon the recommendation of the department, that breeding value, as 

 well as meat or dairy value, may be taken into account in com- 

 pensating owners for animals destroyed hereafter in the eradication 

 work. 



TUBERCULOSIS OF FARM ANIMALS. 



Tuberculosis probably is the most common, destructive, and widely 

 disseminated of the infectious diseases of domestic animals, espe- 

 cially of. cattle and swine. Its seriousness is emphasized by the 

 fact that it is transmitted to human beings. This may be pre- 

 vented in reasonable measure by the pasteurization of milk and the in- 

 spection of meat. There remains, however, the problem of elimi- 

 nating the disease from farm animals in order to prevent losses esti- 

 mated at $25,000,000 a year in the United States. This is the greatest 

 problem confronting the live-stock industry of the country. Its 



