Report of State Veterinarian. 43 



SCABIES. 



During the year 1907 there were 25 shipments from this 

 state to the public markets, of sheep affected with scabbies. These 

 shipments orginated in almost as many different sections of the 

 State. In every case the origin of the shipment was investigated 

 by this department. The stock pens, through which the sheep 

 were loaded, were quarantined until properly disinfected by the 

 railroad over which the shipment was made. The history of 

 every lot of scabby sheep was traced out as far as possible, and all 

 infected flocks placed in quarantine until dipped and cured. The 

 same practice was carried out in connection with scabby cattle, of 

 which there were nine shipments during the year. 



In about three-fourths of the investigations of sheep and 

 cattle scabies, it was found that the infection in this State was 

 introduced by sheep and cattle imported from other western states. 

 In about one-half of the outbreaks, it was found that the infection 

 has come direct from the stock yards. The extreme small number 

 of outbreaks of scabies among sheep and cattle compared to the 

 great numbers of shipments of these animals imported from ter- 

 ritory more or less infected with this disease, reflects great credit 

 upon the system of field and stock yards inspection maintained by 

 the Federal Bureau of Animal Industry. 



The outbreak of scabies among sheep in Laclede county, has 

 apparently been stamped out. On account of lack of funds and 

 the necessary amount of help, the work in Laclede county was not 

 as complete as desired, but the fact that no scabby sheep were 

 shipped from the county during the year 1907, indicates that very 

 little, if any, infection remains. 



Altogether, the indications are that scabies exists anywhere 

 in this State only to a very limited extent. A few outbreaks, in- 

 cident to the importation of sheep and cattle from the western 

 ranges are unavoidable, and may be expected from time to time 

 in the future. 



Under present arrangement it is almost impossible for any 

 outbreak to gain much headway. This disease is easily cured, and 

 we may reasonably expect to keep the losses from it down to the 

 minimum. 



TEXAS FEVER. 



During the past year Texas fever ticks were found on cattle 

 in Ripley, Oregon, Jasper, Newton, McDonald and Barry coun- 



