550 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



too great. In combating the disease, bear in mind the long period of 

 incubation, the resisting power of the germ, and do not expect immedi- 

 ate eradication of the disease, as some animals will harbor the germ 

 some time after the treatment has begun. 



Therefore, I would advise the removal of the placental membrane 

 not later than twenty-four hours after an abortion. Thoroughly irrigate 

 the uterus with a good antiseptic solution, followed by frequent vaginal 

 irrigations. Separate attendants would be beneficial. Occasionally, wash 

 and disinfect the hind quarters of animals and all stalls, or materials 

 they may come in contact with. 



This should be kept up for some time, as an animal may be sterile 

 herself, but still harbor the germ, and so be infectious to others. 



COITAL EXANTHEMA. 



Cases of this disease have been discovered at various points in 

 the state. The disease is not fatal and yields readily to treatment. 



The disease is characterized by vesicles and pustules on the ex- 

 ternal genitals, and attended by great local irritation. It usually 

 runs a mild course of from seven to fifteen days. 



It is known as a contagious disease. It is communicated from 

 animal to animal by coition. 



The symptoms are sometimes mistaken for those of maladie du 

 coit. 



FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION. 



The first positive step taken toward the inspection of meat in 

 the United States was the enactment of the Federal Meat Inspec- 

 tion Act of March 3, 1891. That act merely authorized the certifi- 

 cation of the absence of disease in meats inspected. 



The act of June 30, 1906, extended the scope of this service. 



Under the first-named act, inspection had been conducted at 163 

 establishments in fifty-eight towns and cities up to June 30, 1906. 

 During the year following this date, inspection had been conducted 

 in 708 establishments in 186 towns and cities. Since the enact- 

 ment of the new act there have been 2,290 employes as against 981 

 under the former act. The appropriation under the first act was 

 $771,661, and the new law provided a permanent appropriation of 

 $3,000,000 for meat inspection. 



