136 Twenty-Second Annual Report of the 



than definite condemnation. This has likewise been discouraged 

 by the Department in the endeavor to protect herds against infec- 

 tion from these sources. 



We here desire to call attention to the possibilities of tuberculosis, 

 as well as other diseases, being distributed through the medium 

 of common feeding and drinking troughs or mangers. The modern 

 barn, although constructed of steel and concrete, with an un- 

 divided manger wherein animals are not onlv fed but also watered, 

 offers perhaps one of the best means of disseminating infectious 

 disease from animal to animal that could be devised. In diseases 

 such as tuberculosis which are presumably distributed largely 

 through food or fluids, it is evidence that if one animal is dis- 

 tributing germs, particularly through the mouth or nose, such 

 animal cannot fail to contaminate the common manger and 

 thereby possibly distribute disease to others. The flow of water 

 or the interchange of particles of grain and fodder offers every 

 facility for the distribution of infection. It is our recommenda- 

 tion that the separation of individuals and the installation of in- 

 dividual drinking and feeding receptacles is one of the most im- 

 portant means whereby infectious diseases, particularly tuber- 

 culosis, can be checked. This becomes increasingly important in 

 proportion to the size of the herd and the amount of infection in 

 it. This recommendation has received careful consideration and 

 from the experience in many herds, particularly those containing 

 a large number of animals, it appears that it is one of the im- 

 portant means whereby those desirous of protecting their herds 

 from infection may find relief. 



There are given hereafter statistics showing returns from the sale 

 of carcasses and hides for animals killed under the Agricultural 

 Law for the past few years. For the year 1914-15, this totals 

 more than $53,000. When the expense in controlling bovine tuber- 

 culosis is estimated, it is evident that this asset should be taken 

 into account, since it materially reduces the liability of the State. 

 It is not possible to make this work self-supporting, but the re- 

 turns received reimburse the State treasury for a considerable 

 portion of the money expended for indemnification and other ex- 

 penses, and it is in itself sufficient to cover the total regular appro- 

 priation made to the Bureau of Veterinary Service for the last 



