THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT ON ERADICATION OF 

 PULLORUM DISEASE IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1932-33 



By The Poultry Disease Control Laboratory^ 



Introduction 



The testing data for the 1932-33 season show a marked decrease in the volume 

 of work. Service was rendered to 338 flock owners, for whom 301,000 samples 

 were tested. These figures show a decrease of 124 flocks and 120,895 samples 

 from the previous season. Thirty-six flock owners cancelled their applications 

 before the close of the season. 



Necropsy service was given to 40 poultrymen whose flocks contained doubtful 

 reacting birds. This service is regarded as a very helpful diagnostic aid in deter- 

 mining the status of a flock. Unfortunately, some poultrymen do not appreciate 

 this fact because they fail to submit the requested birds to the laboratory. In such 

 cases the flock is classified in this report as infected. 



The number of samples from fowl other than chickens was less than during the 

 previous season. While such fowl may not appear to be very susceptible to pullor- 

 uni disease, yet it is reported from time to time that various species are infected 

 with this disease. In order to determine the possible role that fowl other than 

 chickens play in the establishment and maintenance of puUorum disease-free flocks, 

 all poultrymen who maintain such birds are asked to cooperate with this laboratory 

 in having them tested. 



As in past years, the percentage of reactors was less among males than females. 

 A total of 274,097 females was tested which revealed 1,342 (0.49 percent) reactors; 

 and 26,617 males which showed 78 (0.29 per cent) reactors. 



A summary of the service rendered during the past year follows : 



Applications received 374 



Applications cancelled 36 



Flocks tested 338* 



Tests made 301,000 



Chickens: — 



Routine 300,065 



Experimental 649 



Fowl other than chickens: — 



Routine 56 



Experimental 230 



Owners receiving necropsy service 40 



Necropsies of reacting birds 70 



♦Includes three flocks of poultry other than chickens. 



^Poultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: — H. Van Roekel, Chief of Laboratory; K. L. Bullis 

 and D. M. Yegian, Assistant Veterinary Pathologists; O. S. Flint, Assistant Researdi Professor; 

 Miriam K. Clarke and Felicia Zimnoski, Laboratory Assistants. 



Appreciation is extended to all who have aided in the work, particularly to Dr. J. B. Lentz, Head 

 of the Department of Veterinary Science; the County Extension Services; the Department of Poultry 

 Husbandry. Massachusetts State College; and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. 



