148 Twenty-Second Annual Report of the 



der direction of a central power, thereby making such force avail- 

 able for emergencies such as arise when aphthous fever or other 

 similar diseases make their appearance. 



The plan proposed by the Tuberculosis Commission of district- 

 ing the State and placing a veterinarian in charge of each district, 

 had it been in operation, would have been of great value to the 

 State during this outbreak. With such a plan a more systematic 

 inspection of infected districts would be possible and a better 

 equipped body of employees would be available to be instantly 

 placed where their services were most needed. The difficulty in 

 obtaining sufficient assistance among private practitioners is easily 

 explained, and should not be considered as a reflection upon the 

 profession or upon the responsibilities of the individual to the 

 State. In most cases these men are dependent upon their practice 

 for a livelihood and could not reasonably be expected to sacrifice 

 their business and devote their services to the State at some distant 

 point at a nominal and temporary compensation. It is, therefore, 

 necessary that precautions be taken and plans formulated to pro- 

 vide for the future an organization which will be ready for such 

 emergencies, should they occur. 



There will be found in the report further statistics showing in 

 detail the districts where the disease existed, the number of different 

 species of animals killed, together with indemnity values/, etc. 

 There is also accompanying a report of the Bureau of Animal In- 

 dustry showing the number of animals and value of same destroyed 

 in other states during the last outbreak. A comparison of the same 

 with that of New York will show that this State escaped with much 

 less serious expenditure of money and loss of animal life than 

 several other commonwealths. 



It should be noted that New York State stood third in num- 

 ber of cattle destroyed, fourth in number of swine destroyed, 

 seventh in total number of animals destroyed, while in total ap- 

 praised value of animals killed, this State was third. 



Note. — The statistics obtained from the Bureau of Animal Industry extend 

 to November 5, 1915, while the State statistics are confined to the fiscal year 

 ending September 30, 1915; consequently the statistics from the Federal 

 Government for New York State may not agree exactly with those computed 

 by this Department for the State of New York. 



