NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF PULLORUM DISEASE 

 ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1938-1939 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory 1 



INTRODUCTION 



Pullorum disease is recognized as a serious problem by the poultry industry 

 of the different countries. During the last two decades, the marked changes in 

 the incubation of eggs and in the transporting and the brooding of chicks have 

 resulted in greater and more rapid spread of pullorum infection. Such circum- 

 stances have led to an increased interest in the control, eradication, and prevention 

 of the infection. An effective program for combating the disease includes the 

 annual testing of all birds on the premises supplemented with adequate sanitary 

 and preventive measures. 



This report shows that poultrymen in Massachusetts have long recognized the 

 importance of an effective pullorum disease eradication program. The results 

 obtained through a nineteen-year period have convinced those engaged in poultry 

 raising that flocks free from pullorum infection are more profitable than infected 

 flocks. This fact expresses itself in the evidence that the successful poultrymen 

 include in their management program annual testing of all birds on the premises 

 and strict observance of measures which prevent the introduction of infection. 



Summary of Service Rendered 



Applications received 373 



Applications cancelled 8 



Flocks tested 365* 



Number of tests 623,935** 



Chickens: 



Routine 608,621 



Experimental 6,584 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine 5,033 



Experimental 3,697** 



Owners receiving necropsy service 37 



Necropsies of reacting birds 91 



♦Includes 10 flocks of poultry other than chickens. 

 **Includes 3,565 paratyphoid tests. 



At the present time, Massachusetts has more birds in officially tested non- 

 reacting flocks than at any previous time in the nineteen-year testing period. 

 Such progress in the establishment and identification of pullorum-clean breeding 

 stock aids decidedly in building a more valuable and profitable poultry industry. 



For the progress that has been made in pullorum-disease eradication, credil 

 should be given to the individual flock owners and hatcherymen. It is hoped that 

 their efforts will continue to be effective in combating the disease. 



^Poultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: H. Van Roekel, Chief of Laboratory; K. I_. 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 i he testing v.-oi k. 



