Repo7't of State Veterinarian. 63 



GLANDERS. 



In the past year we have made splendid progress in the eradica- 

 tion of glanders from this State. There were 52 cases found within 

 the State the past year, compared with 97 cases the previous year. 

 The 52 cases were distributed as follows : Kansas City, 24 ; St. 

 Louis, 6 ; St, Joseph, 2, and the balance of the State, 20. We are not 

 entirely satisfied that the veterinarians of St. Louis are promptly re- 

 porting all cases of glanders found. We will give this careful con- 

 sideration and investigate as to the facts and insist on all cases 

 being promptly reported to this office. When we stop to consider 

 the enormous traffic in horses and mules that is carried on through- 

 out the State, and that one of the largest markets in the world for 

 horses and mules is right at our very door, we must consider the 

 above a remarkable showing for this State. The fact that we have 

 so few cases of glanders in this State, compared with other states, 

 is due largely to the small indemnity that is allowed for condemned 

 horses and our rigid quarantine system and the thorough disinfect- 

 ing of all premises when the condemned animals are removed. We 

 have reliable information, however it is unofficial, that each of the 

 Dakotas pays out more for horses and mules condemned for glanders 

 than Missouri receives biennially for this entire department. The 

 state of New York spends $350,000 annually in an attempt to eradi- 

 cate glanders and tuberculosis, yet little is acomplished. In the city 

 of Boston, during the year ending November 30, 1911, there were 

 condemned 387 horses and mules for glanders. Compare St. Louis 

 with Boston, where we find 6 cases for the former. Massachusetts 

 spends $75,000 annually, while Missouri spends $12,500. The re- 

 sults obtained in Missouri are certainly very gratifying. 



HOG CHOLERA. 



The State is passing through one of the most disastrous out- 

 breaks of hog cholera in its history. The. disease covers practically 

 the entire State. The infection, in a measure, was undoubtedly car- 

 ried over from last year and, unless some radical action is taken by 

 this Board with a view to the eradication and control of hog cholera, 

 this terrible loss will continue indefinitely. The last crop report 

 shows a shrinkage in our hog supply of 34 per cent. This cannot all 

 be charged to hog cholera. We believe, however, that it is conserva- 

 tive to estimate our loss due. to hog cholera at eight millions of 

 dollars. This loss, unfortunately, falls for the greater part on the 



