VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 145 



same conditions. This latter bottle was kept for some six or 

 eight months, until an opportunity occurred to have the veteri- 

 narian of the District of Columbia use some of it. He was 

 told that it was old tuberculin, and that nothing was known 

 about its reliability, but that he could use it upon animals which 

 showed signs of tuberculosis. This he did, and reported a very 

 characteristic reaction. The writer feels sure that the failure 

 reported in the first instance was due to a personal error and not 

 to the tuberculin. 



Contrary to the generally accepted statement, the diluted 

 bottled tuberculin has often been kept in this laboratory for two 

 or three years or more without losing its active properties. In 

 order, however, to avoid all trouble, the usual recommendation 

 is that the tuberculin sent out shall not be used more than six 

 weeks after the date upon the bottle, which indicates the time 

 when it was diluted in the laboratory. This may be an unnec- 

 essary precaution, but one which seems advisable when the 

 material is placed with such a large number of people. 



conclusions. 



In conclusion, it would seem that the preparation of tuber- 

 culin should always be conducted under experienced direction. 

 It should be distributed through some central authority, so that 

 the results from its use can be collected and tabulated and serve 

 as a source of general information. It is an invaluable test, 

 and by its use, as has been demonstrated by several of the 

 States, especially Vermont, it is certainly possible to reduce 

 very materially tuberculosis among cattle, and it may be possi- 

 ble to eventually exterminate it. 



BLACK LEG. 



The attention of the Commission has not been called to 

 other diseases among cattle with the exception of one herd 

 in which suspicions of black leg are awaiting test, which will be 

 attended to as soon as the vaccine arrives from the Department 

 at Washington. 



GLANDERS. 



Several horses have been tested with mallein and two 

 found diseased. 



In one case complaint came from the Selectmen of the town 

 that diseased horses were moving upon their highways. At 

 their request a veterinarian was sent with the necessary supplies 

 furnished by the Bureau of Animal Industry to test the cases. 



Upon the arrival in town of the veterinarian, neither the 

 horses nor their owners could be found, even with the assist- 

 ance of the selectmen. 



