62 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



more or less accidental that the present outbreaks occured in other 

 states instead of in Missouri. In view of the fact that the infec- 

 tion may spread into this State from points of infection now in 

 other states, or an outbreak may occur at any future time from 

 unknown sources, this department ought to be ready to take 

 effective charge of an outbreak at any time. The law ought to be 

 amended, as early as possible, to cover foot and mouth disease, and 

 to provide for the disposition of affected cattle. 



TUBERCULOSIS. 



Tuberculosis is spreading rapidly among hogs and cattle in 

 this State. The tuberculin tests during 1907 showed 4.5 per cent 

 of the cattle tested to be tuberculous. The tests of 1908 showed 

 8 per cent to be tuberculous. These tests, although limited in 

 niimber, seem to fairly represent the average condition among the 

 permanent herds of the State. The increase in this State, as shown 

 by these tests, has been in almost exact proportion to the increase 

 in the number found tuberculous on post-mortem examination by 

 Federal meat inspectors, which, in 1907, was 29,833 head, and in 

 1908, was 51,838 head. The total number of cattle coming under 

 Federal meat inspection has increased 24 times as fast as the num- 

 ber inspected. These tuberculous cattle, through their milk and 

 droppings, have been the principal source of infection among hogs. 



While the total number of hogs inspected by the Federal gov- 

 ernment has increased only about one-half since 1900, the number 

 found tuberculous has increased 160-fold. The number found 

 tuberculous has increased 320 times as fast as the number in- 

 spected. 



The increase in the prevalence of tuberculosis has been so 

 great that the shipment of affected hogs and cattle from this State 

 to the public markets is now a common thing, whereas such ship- 

 ments were practically unknown only a few years ago. The tests 

 of 1907 showed that many badly tuberculous herds were contribut- 

 ing to the general milk supply of the large cities. Tests in 1908 

 showed that tuberculous herds are plentiful around the smaller 

 cities of the State. Tuberculosis is already so thoroughly scat- 

 tered that it seems hardly possible that any creamery company or 

 milk dealer in the State can be getting the supply of cream or milk 

 v^hich is not contaminated by the products from tuberculous herds. 



On account of its great prevalence the work of stamping out 

 tuberculosis among cattle will require well laid plans, several years' 

 time, and the expenditure of a large amount of money. The longer 

 the beginning is delayed the more time and money it will require 



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