28 



])rograin. Such an estimate is not of the efficiency of the test alone, but 

 the efficiency of the poultrymen, the test and all factors involved. Most 

 of these factors are discussed under "Some Reasons for Failure". 



During the past two seasons 22 flocks, (16,558 birds) vi^hich have been 

 successfullj' made non-reacting by use of the agglutination test and co- 

 operation of the poultrymen, have had a total of 1203 reactors and 1068 

 of these were found in the original test. Thus 90.28 per cent of all the 

 reactors detected in these flocks were determined at the first test. There- 

 fore, under conditions which exist in Massachusetts one can expect to 

 detect about 90 per cent of the infected birds by the original test. 



This average percentage is somewhat higher than that obtained in the 

 "pullet testing project", and is due to the fact that several flocks in the 

 group were non-reacting on the first retest. It should not be understood 

 that an average of 10 per cent were diseased at the first test, but not 

 detected. As has been emphasized before, and in the next section on 

 "Some Reasons for Failure", pullorum disease is of an infectious nature 

 and the germ must be removed from the premises before eradication can 

 Ke accomplished. As long as infection exists, some birds will become 

 diseased, and monthly tests will remove these and prevent further spread 

 of the disease. 



The agglutination test is not 100 per cent efficient, but it appears that 

 it is often more efficient than the poultryman who tries to benefit by its 

 use. Standardization of the test is being accomplished, and probably more 

 is being done in this connection than has been, or is being done with most 

 similar diagnostic tests. Attention is called to the conference of labora- 

 tory workers engaged in pullorum disease eradication which met at 

 Amherst, April 24, 25, and 26, 1928, and to a similar conference held at 

 Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, May 1, 2, and 3, 1929. At 

 these conferences everything possible has been done to improve testing 

 methods, standardize technic, and to study problems in eradication in a 

 cooperative manner. Ten United States and two Canadian laboratories 

 (the Dominion Experimental Farms and Ontario Veterinary College) were 

 represented at tlie New Haven conference. 



A committee which will study test fluids was appointed by the conference 

 and the states and provinces represented will follow the recommendations 

 of this committee for the coming season. Yearly meetings of the labora- 

 tory workers are planned and everj'thing possible will be done to improve 

 methods of eradication. In the meantime, poultrymen are urged to base 

 their conclusions on the efficiency of the test on the results being obtained 

 by its application in the field rather than on criticisms written by propa- 

 gandists. 



Some Reasons for Failure to Eradicate Pullorum Disease 



Success in eradication of pullorum disease in Massachusetts has depended 

 primarily on the cooperation of poultrymen in following instructions 

 given by the testing laboratory. The poultrymen are paying for the work, 

 and desire to get the greatest returns for their money. However, some 

 follow practices which, as %vell as being costly, are not conducive to 

 eradication. 



The agglutination test is only one item in the eradication program. 

 Most poultrymen realize thi.s, and they are the ones who are most success- 

 ful in eliminating and keeping the disease from their flocks. 



