FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IX. 



647 



At the time the State Biological Laboratory was established, there was 

 little or no regulation on any phase of hog cholera serum work. Eighteen 

 months has, I think, shown considerable improvement in conditions. That 

 there has been approximately 50 per cent decrease in cholera during 1914 

 is generally admitted, which means ten to twelve millions of dollars saved 

 for this state. 



The following summary compiled from all reports received from 

 owners of herds treated with serum procured at the State Biological 

 Laboratory may be of interest: 



It is significant to note that in both cases where serum alone and 

 where simultaneous treatment is applied in diseased herds, the loss is 

 less than the number of animals reported sick at the time of treatment. 

 One cannot help but notice also that the diseased herds were not vac- 

 cinated until 10.2 per cent were dead and 20.4 per cent were sick. This 

 indicates that a diagnosis is not made sufficiently early in a large majority 

 of the herds. The campaign of education conducted in co-operation with 

 the agricultural extension department has to some extent overcome this, 

 and both veterinarians and stockmen are becoming more prompt in their 

 decisions and actions. 



Much has been said about sterility in vaccinated animals. You are 

 well aware that sterility was more or less prevalent before vaccination 

 was known, so the question developed as to whether it was increased by 

 vaccination. The following data gathered in co-operation with the federal 

 Bureau of Animal Industry should be convincing: 



TREATED HERDS. 



