TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF PULLORtj 

 DISEASE ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 

 1941-1942 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory 1 



Introduction 



The testing results for the 1941-42 season reveal further progress in the eradica- 

 tion of pullorum disease in Massachusetts. The value of pullorum-free stock is 

 fully recognized by the majority of flock owners for whom testing service is 

 rendered. Without the fullest appreciation in regard to annual 100 percent test- 

 ing of flocks and the measures preventing the introduction of infection, little if 

 any progress in the eradication of the disease might be expected. Massachusetts 

 is one of a few states which are leading in the establishment of pullorum-free flocks. 

 This has attracted many out-of-state purchases, especially from the broiler in- 

 dustry. The complete eradication of the disease from the flocks has eliminated 

 the losses from pullorum infection among chicks and growing and mature stock. 

 Hatching eggs, baby chicks, and mature stock from pullorum-free sources are 

 readily obtainable, and the continuous practice of replacing infected flocks with 

 stock from pullorum-free sources is an effective means of further eradicating the 

 disease from the State. 



Appreciation is extended to the various agencies that have given direct or 

 indirect assistance to pullorum-disease eradication. The necessity for the dis- 

 semination of reliable information at the appropriate time cannot be ignored in 

 this program. Through such a practice a great service is extended to the flock 

 owner who is the "key man" in establishing and maintaining his flock free cf 

 pullorum disease. Massachusetts flock owners deserve much credit for the splen- 

 did progress that has been made in pullorum-disease eradication. 



Summary of Service Rendered 



Applications received 406 



Applications cancelled 15 



Flocks tested 391 



Chicken flocks 360 



Chicken and turkey flocks 6 



Turkey flocks 25 



Number of tests 674,403 



Chickens: 



Routine 660,517 



Experimental 2,198 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine 4,541 



Experimental 7,147* 



Owners receiving necropsy service 35 



Necropsies of reacting birds 65** 



♦Includes 6,579 paratyphoid tests. 

 ♦♦Includes SO chickens and 15 turkeys. 



'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 assistance given to the testing work. 



