124 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



mercial application of this method has already been begun by certain 

 establishments. 



ENFORCEMENT OF THE VIRUS-SERUM-TOXIN ACT. 



In the work under the virus-serum-toxin law of 1913 the Biochemic 

 Division exercises supervision over the preparation of antihog- 

 cholera serum, hog-cholera virus, tuberculin, and mallein, while other 

 biological products are supervised by the Pathological Division. The 

 work of the latter division has already been stated, but for con- 

 venience the entire work will be summarized here. 



One hundred and nine applications for licenses for the manufac- 

 ture of such products for interstate trade were received, and 106 

 licenses were issued. Permits for importation were issued to two 

 firms. The licensed plants were situated in 50 cities in 18 States. 

 Two hearings were held as provided by law. Five cases of apparent 

 violation of the law were investigated, and two such cases were suc- 

 cessfully prosecuted through information furnished to the Depart- 

 ment Solicitor. 



Eighty-nine of the licensed plants were licensed to manufacture 

 antihog-cholera serum. During the calendar year 1915 there was 

 prepared by licensed establishments 208,571,232 cubic centimeters of 

 this serum, of which 4,471,881 cubic centimeters was found to be 

 worthless or contaminated and was withheld from market. 



DISTRIBUTION OF TUBERCULIN AND MALLEIN. 



During the fiscal year 613,622 doses of tuberculin were sent out 

 to State, county, and city officials, to be used in testing cattle for 

 tuberculosis. Mallein to the extent of 269,280 doses, for testing horses 

 and mules for glanders, was likewise supplied. The production of 

 mallein for the subcutaneous test has been discontinued and there is 

 now supplied from the laboratory only the mallein intended for the 

 ophthalmic test. 



DIPS AND DISINFECTANTS. 



The laboratory of dips and disinfectants received for examination 

 240 samples of live-stock clips, disinfectants, and miscellaneous mate- 

 rials employed in the preparation of dips and disinfectants. 



During the calendar year 1915 there were sent out the following 

 test outfits and supplies for making tests of dips in the field : Two 

 hundred and fifty-eight test outfits for arsenic ; supplies for making 

 more than 99,000 arsenical tests; 73 test outfits for lime-sulphur dips; 

 supplies for about 12,400 lime-sulphur tests; supplies for nearly 

 7.500 nicotin tests. 



Further work has been done upon the disinfection of hides. It 

 was stated in the last annual report that the Schattenfroh method 

 was found to be very efficient in destroying anthrax spores. Later 

 observations of the use of this method for the practical disinfection 

 of hides at tanneries have indicated that it is unsatisfactory because 

 of the discoloration and consequent injury to the value of the hides. 

 In view of these practical observations, additional work has been 

 begun with ordinary solutions of bichlorid of mercury. These experi- 

 ments are not yet completed. 



