Commissioner of Agriculture 143 



blackleg 



This disease, affecting cattle, sheep, and goats, more particu- 

 larly the former, is quite common in this State. It fortunately 

 does not as a rule attack very young or adult animals, its ravages 

 being confined largely to calves and young cattle from four months 

 to two years of age. It is less acute in its attack than anthrax, and 

 the mortality is less. Like the former disease, there is no satis- 

 factory curative agent known. It can be controlled by the use of 

 blackleg vaccine, however, which is a comparatively positive pre- 

 ventive treatment 



Owing to the limited number of farm animals susceptible to 

 the disease, it is not so serious as anthrax. Blackleg is likely to 

 recur from year to year on the same premises, but the germ caus- 

 ing it is less resistant to disinfectants and to the natural effects of 

 the elements than many other diseases, and hence its extermina- 

 tion is not impossible. This Department strongly recommends the 

 use of vaccine on premises or farms where cases of blackleg have 

 occurred, and the repeated use from year to year of this means of 

 prevention is advised. 



The carcasses of animals dying from this disease should be dis- 

 posed of by burning or burying deeply and covering with lime. 

 The use of fields, yards, buildings, etc., where animals have died 

 from blackleg, or where infected individuals have been pastured 

 or housed until such places have been cleaned and disinfected, 

 should not be permitted. In the case of fields, this may involve 

 their cultivation for a year or the placing upon them of animals 

 not susceptible to blackleg. Buildings or yards which can be dis- 

 infected are, of course, more easily rendered safe for the use of 

 susceptible individuals. 



foot-and-mouth disease 



About the middle of October, 1914, information was received 

 indicating the existence of suspected foot-and-mouth disease in 

 southern Michigan. This rumor was verified a few days later, 

 and measures were at once taken to protect New York State. On 

 October 21, 1914, a circular letter was sent to veterinarians through- 

 out the State of New York advising them of the existence of 



