34 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



Thayer during- the summer and fall should not be permitted. This can 

 be controlled by refusing to inspect and pass cattle at such times as the 

 infection is known by the inspector to be present. 



NECESSITY OF MORE DEPUTIES. 



While I have not completed the list of names of some twelve or fif- 

 teen more deputies which I wish to appoint to assist in control work dur- 

 ing the coming year, I have in view to appoint as many more capable men 

 in different parts of the State as may be needed. The additional number 

 of deputies will not necessarily increase the cost of the service except inas- 

 much as the work increases. In order to carry out the plan of eradicating 

 hog and sheep diseases economically, more deputies will be absolutely 

 necessary. I will try to have a list of names ready to submit to the Execu- 

 tive Committee at its January meeting, and I hope the Board will author- 

 ize this Committee to approve such appointments as seem acceptable to it. 



SPECIAL, INVESTIGATION. 



During the past year a contagious disease among swine has appeared 

 in Boone, Saline, Carroll and other counties. The nature of this disease 

 is not well understood at the present time. The State Veterinarian should 

 have the opportunity to investigate this and all other similar diseases and 

 control them properly before they spread all over the State. A thorough 

 study of the parasitic diseases of hogs and sheep should be made in this 

 State during the coming year, and information as to their prevention given 

 out to the public as soon as possible. The necessity of special investiga- 

 tion is very great at the present time, and it is absolutely necessary to ar- 

 range to leave more of the control work to deputies and give the State 

 Veterinarian an opportunity to make investigations of outbreaks of dis- 

 eases that are not already understood. I believe this will be serving the 

 best interests of the State. 



FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 



Reports are out to the effect that foot and mouth disease exists in 

 Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. While it is the duty of 

 the Board to duly protect this State against the introduction of this dis- 

 ease, I do not think that there is at present any sufficient reason for quar- 

 antining against Eastern cattle. There are several reasons for not issuing 

 additional quarantine regulations until they are an absolute necessity. 

 However, if any information comes to hand at the annual meeting which 

 indicates any danger of the introduction of foot and mouth disease into 

 the State, a quarantine against Eastern cattle should be made immediately. 



Most respectfully submitted, 



D. F. LUCKEY, 



State Veterinarian. 



