CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 21 



But while much has been done, while niillious of dollars have already been saved to 

 our fanners by the facts thus far discovertid, we have only made a begiuuinj; iu the 

 great work that is before us. Some of the most importaut diseases affecting our ani- 

 mals are still mysteries to us, and though they are distributed over large territories 

 and decimate the live stock, we are ignorant of their cause; we do not know how 

 thej^ are kept up from year to year ; we have uo means of combating them, and the idea 

 of freeing ourselves from their ravages has scarcely dawned upon us. A striking ex- 

 ample of the necessity of such work is seen in the recent investigations of Texas cattle 

 fever. This disease has been advancing and infecting new territory for a century, 

 and uutil the last year or two we knew nothing about it, and our best informed vet- 

 erinarians and stockmen did not suppose that it was found in one-fifth of the terri- 

 tory which it has actually overrun. These were points which it was necessary to un- 

 derstand before either legislative bodies or individuals could adopt intelligent meas- 

 ures for preventing the annual losses which have been most discouraging to the cattle 

 Industry in large sections of the coiintry. And with every disease there are equally 

 iiui)ortant points still to be investigated. 



The laboratory and experiment station which have been fitted up during the past 

 summer under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, for investigating con- 

 tagious diseases, make it possible to attempt the solution of questions which were 

 formerly beyond our reach. The laboratory contains the most improved apparatus 

 for such investigations, much of which was constructed according to new designs, es- 

 pecially for this work, and it is safe to saj^ that the facilities here are now equal to 

 those possessed by investigators of similar diseases in any country, and in some re- 

 spects they greatly surpass them. 



In conclusion, I would say there is not a department of original research or of agri- 

 cultural investigation in regard to which there is more pressing need for development 

 than this, and none which promises to effect a greater saving. Our losses are now 

 heavy, but they must increase as our animal population increases, as new diseases are 

 introduced, and fresh areas are infected. But it is not alone a question of dollars; the 

 investigation of animal contagia must throw new light on those human plagues which 

 'u our country alone sweep a <|uarter of a million of human lives out of existence each 

 year. Some of these animal diseases are communicable to man, and have a greater 

 influence over our health and lives thau is generally supposed, and any means of con- 

 trolling them cannot fail to have an important influence on humau health as well. 



ENZOOTICS OF ERGOTISM. 



Early in March, 1SS4, a diseas(3 aniouj;- the cattle of Coffey County, 

 Kansas, which was supposed by certain veterinarians to be foot-and- 

 mouth disease in a most virulent form, was brought to the attention of 

 the officers of that State ; and such exag-gerated accounts were sent to 

 the press from day to day as to cause a feeling- of insecurity and alarm 

 among all engaged in the live-stock industry of the West. The 3d of 

 March, Dr. Wilhite visited the farm of Mr. Daniel Keith, located in Cof- 

 fey County, 4 miles northwest of Neosho Falls, and pronounced the 

 trouble among his catthi to be foot andniouth disease. The sanui day 

 Governor Click telegraphed as follows : 



ToPEKA, Kans., March :?, 18f^4. 

 Hon. (iKO. B. Louixo, 



Coinmisniouer of AgricuUurc. 



A very malignant disease has broken out among the cattle in Neosho County, this 

 State. It is supposed to be the foot-and-mouth disease. The feet become sore and 



