Report of State Veterinarian. '53 



As has been the case for several years past, we have found that 

 nearly all of the outbreaks of scab are among bands of sheep shipped into 

 this State from the west for stock purposes. Compared to the vast 

 traffic in western sheep, the number of outbreaks is very small, and 

 indicates an accurate and rigid inspection by the Federal Department, 

 and good work on the part of the authorities in the western states in the 

 eradication of scabies. 



Whenever we have learned of the existence of scab among sheep 

 anywhere in the State, we have simply written the o's\mer, enclosing 

 a copy of section 2330, R. S. 1899, which forbids the sale, shipment, 

 or movement, on the public higliway, of sheep affected with any con- 

 tagious disease. AYe liave also sent each owner of infected sheep a 

 bulletin on the diseases of sheep, in which is given the treatment for 

 scab. This is by no means a thorough manner of controlling sheep 

 scab, but is the best we could do with our limited veterinary force. 



FOOT ROT. 



There were only five outbreaks of foot rot called to our attention 

 during the past year. Except for the fact that there was none of this 

 disease in the State up to about two years ago, this would be a matter of 

 little importance. We have followed the same course in dealing with 

 outbreaks of foot rot as of scab, and for the time being there seems to be 

 no imminent danger of extensive losses from this disease. 



LIP AND LEG DISEASE (nECRO-BACILLOSIS) . 



Of the thirteen outbreaks which were known to have existed in this 

 State, all were among sheep imported from the west. 



Only one outbreak was investigated. This was a lot of western 

 sheep bought at Omaha by two farmers in Randolph county, ]\Io. The 

 lot consisted of about 350 head, and was divided between the two. 

 Out of 200 head kept by one party, there were seventy-seven either dead 

 or had to be destroyed. This investigation indicates that lip and leg 

 disease of sheep is a much more seriou>s matter than it is generally re- 

 garded by the owners of sheep ranches in the west. For several years 

 a mild type of sore mouth has been prevalent among sheep on the 

 ranches. There is a tendency to confoimd that mild type of disease with 

 the present lip and leg disease. These two diseases may be the same, 

 and the more fatal symptoms shown by sheep this year may be due to 

 some peculiar climatic conditions. Until that fact is definitely settled, 

 the State should be carefully guarded against the introduction of the 

 disease. 



Under the impression that lip and h^g disease is of a harmless 



