274 Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



their flocks clean, will demand equal care Ironi their neig'hbours in 

 the cleansing" of flocks, will lead eventually to the almost complete 

 absence of scab in the country. In tlie meantime the carrying' out of 

 the laws framed with this end in view must be continued. Any 

 relaxation may lead to a serious set-back as witnessed during 1914-15, 

 when circumstances necessitated the absence of a number of sheep 

 inspectors. On the other hand, efficiency and economy call for a 

 strengthening of the numbers detailed to combat the disease, for, in 

 addition to the advantages the farmer will derive by a speedy control 

 of scab, an increased expenditure for a short period w^ould be cheaper 

 in the long run than the present heavy expendituie indefinitely. 



Veteeinary Eese.\rch. 



The Union possesses one of the largest and best equipped institu- 

 tions in the world for investigating diseases of animals peculiar to 

 warm countries, and results of the greatest value both from scientific 

 and practical points of view have been obtained from it. 



During the war the institute had to work under the greatest 

 difliculties owing to the absence of ofiicers on active service, shortage 

 of stores, etc., but on the whole it carried out successfully its func- 

 tions under the most adverse conditions that have existed in the 

 history of the division. 



It was of paramount importance to maintain the routine activities 

 of the division, and the extent to which this was done will be recog- 

 nized when it is mentioned that from the 1st April, 1914, to the 31st 

 March, 1918, there were prepared and distributed the following 

 numbers of doses: Blue-tongue vaccine, 6,019,974; redwater and gall- 

 sickness vaccine, 56,823; anthrax vaccine, 1,796,260; black-quarter 

 vaccine, 919,386; mallein (issued to Defence Department), 40,000; 

 tuberculin (approximate number imported and distributed), 28,000; 

 and vaccine lymph (1914-15 only, since when in hands of medical 

 authorities), 412,693. 



In addition, 73,099 microscopical and pathological anatomical 

 specimens were examined, 2818 mules inoculated against horse- 

 sickness (2 per cent, died), agglutination tests for contagious abortion 

 conducted, while a number of reports and papers were published and 

 lectures delivered. The quantity of correspondence dealt with was 

 large, the number of letters and telegrams received and dispatched 

 amounting to 250,856. 



As much time as possible was devoted during 1914-15 to research 

 and investigations into the many problems facing the stockowner, 

 among others being an investigation on the spot of the disease of 

 Nagana (Trypanosomiasis), which was spreading in Zululand, and 

 certain recommendations made (1915-16) for preventing its spread 

 by localizing game, the agency by which the disease was spread. 

 Experiments were continued in regard to protective inocula- 

 tion against horse-sickness, and extensive experiments in 

 dipping as a preventive of the disease were also under consideration. 

 During the year Professor Hediuger, of Basle University, who was 

 specially engaged to investigate the cause of gallamziekte, advanced 

 a theory regarding the presence of " Sarcosporidia," which, however, 

 was eventually found not to be the cause of the disease, and a further 

 series of experiments was undertaken by Sir Arnold Theiler and Mr. 

 P. R. Yiljoen. 



