EEPOBT OF THE BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 

 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



There is no pleuro-pneumonia to be found in this county, nor could 

 I find any evidence that this disease has ever been here. Large num- 

 bers of cattle are shipped and driven through this county from the 

 Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys, and vast numbers of beef cat- 

 tle are fed here during the winter. The dairy interest is not large, 

 though in the northeastern section of the county many cows are kept 

 and the milk sold to a creamery in Waynesborough, Pa., just over 

 the line. The cattle in the county are as healthy as any found in the 

 State, though tuberculosis prevails to some extent. On the farm of 

 David Gossard, Ash post-office, a few calves were lost in December 

 and January last. Careful inquiry leads me to believe the disease 

 was anthrax. The 9 head of cattle now on the farm are healthy. 



I learned that about one year ago several cattle died on the farm 

 of Mr. Huffer, about 2 miles from Chewsville. Mr. Huffer says he 

 lost 13 head of cattle, 2 horses, and 6 sheep, while two other men 

 near by lost 2 cows each. This trouble was hidden at the time, fear- 

 ing, as they said, that if it were known the State would destroy all 

 exposed cattle without compensation. Careful inquiry convinces 

 me that this disease was anthrax also. The cattle on this farm and 

 in the neighborhood are now healthy. The people are now better 

 informed as to the laws and policy of the Government and State, and 

 any outbreak of disease would be reported to the authorities. 



Sfo disease among horses was found. Hog cholera had for many 

 years been very fatal here, less so in 1887 than for several years past. 

 In 1885-1886 vast numbers of hogs died. Many farmers told me that 

 comparatively few hogs are now kept because of the prevalence of this 

 dreaded disease. Many estimate the loss in 1886 at 75 per cent., and 

 none estimate it at less than 50 per cent. The number of voters reg- 

 istered in 1886 was 9,595; 3 hogs per voter would make 28,785, and 

 at $5 per head would make $143,925 as the value of the usual hog 

 crop. Fifty per cent, loss would make $71,962.50. This I feel sure 

 is not too high an estimate. 



It seems to. be the general opinion here that there should be a State 

 law compelling the burial or destruction of all dead animals to pre- 

 vent the spread of contagion, 



Respectfully submitted. 



F. W. PATTERSON, M. D., 

 Inspector, Bureau of Animal Industry. 



