EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT ON PULLORUM DISEASE 

 ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1937-1938 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory 1 



INTRODUCTION 



The establishment and maintenance of pullorum clean flocks are recognized 

 as essential and profitable features in poultry production by Massachusetts 

 poultrymen. The identification of pullorum clean flocks is accomplished through 

 the annual testing of all the birds on the premises. During the course of the 

 eighteen-year testing period a large number of pullorum clean flocks have been 

 established and identified. This increasing reservoir of pullorum clean stock 

 serves to replace untested and infected flocks. 



The progress that has been made during this eighteen-year testing period should 

 be credited in a large measure to the flock owners who have cooperated in employ- 

 ing sound measures for the establishment and maintenance of pullorum clean 

 flocks. To-day the majority of the owners of breeding flocks have no worry from 

 losses due to pullorum disease. Furthermore, if adequate preventive measures 

 are followed, these owners may anticipate no reactors in their flocks as they are 

 tested annually. As this program continues through a period of time, the residual 

 infection will become less and less so that some day the disease will no longer 

 be an economic problem. 



To attain this goal will require the continued conscientious cooperation of the 

 flock owners and all agencies which have an interest in the poultry industry. 

 The progress of this work can be greatly expedited through a broad, far-reaching 

 educational program. Sound advertising on the part of the seller of stock and 

 careful investigation by the buyer will aid in greater distribution of pullorum 

 clean stock. 



Summary of Service Rendered 



Applications received 321 



Applications cancelled 7 



Flocks tested 314* 



Number of tests 502,341** 



Chickens: — 



Routine 495,759 



Experimental 2,010 



Fowl other than chickens: — 



Routine 1,660 



Experimental 2,912** 



Owners receiving necropsy service 28 



Necropsies of reacting birds 94 



*Includes 6 flocks of poultry other than chickens. 

 ♦♦Includes 216 paratyphoid tests 



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

 Assistant Veterinary Pathologist; O. S. Flint, Assistant Research Professor: Miriam K. Clarke, 

 Research Assistant; Felicia Jewett, Laboratory Assistant. Appreciation is extended to Dr. J. B. 

 Lentz, Head of the Department of Veterinary Science, for the administrative assistance given to 

 the testing work. 



(2) 



