12 P.D. 123 



but had failed to qualify that year, were reaccredited this year , in addition 

 to which 30 new herds were awarded certificates, 2 of which were afterward 

 suspended; making a total of 72 herds, 2,990 head fully accredited on Novem- 

 ber 30, 1939. 



In accrediting herds it is required that the blood samples be drawn by a 

 veterinarian, that samples be submitted from all cattle in the herd six months 

 of age or over, that all bloods be negative to dilutions of 1-50 and higher, that 

 the herd be negative to two or more tests covering a period of at least twelve 

 months, and that all cattle check with the tuberculin test records for a like 

 period. The drawing of the blood is arranged for by the owner and at his 

 expense. 



Legislation for authority to engage in testing for Bang abortion disease 

 was sought by the Division through a bill introduced at this year's session 

 of the General Court — a bill drawn along lines similar to the law under which 

 tuberculin testing is conducted. The bill, however, was referred to the next 

 General Court. The failure to obtain legislation by which compensation 

 could be paid for cattle declared to be affected with Bang abortion disease 

 resulted, on May 1, in the withdrawal by the Federal government of further 

 payment of compensation for blood reactors in Massachusetts. 



During the year 24,153 blood samples drawn from cattle were submitted 

 to the laboratory of the Division, as compared with 19,629 in the year 1938. 

 These samples were submitted in connection with cattle undergoing tests for 

 accreditation, cattle intended for interstate shipment, check tests on cattle 

 received interstate, cattle in herds from which persons affected with undulant 

 fever had obtained their milk supply, as well as samples received from veteri- 

 narians, owners of cattle, and others. 



Of these blood samples, 20,336 were negative in all dilutions, 1,309 positive, 

 2,346 doubtful or suspicious (positive to 1-25 or 1-50), and 162 unsatisfactory 

 (hemolyzed, or containers broken). 



Blood samples from 246 goats, 22 horses, and 8 swine were also examined. 



Calfhood Vaccination 



That calfhood vaccination will have an important place in the establish- 

 ment of Bang abortion disease-free herds is evidenced by the ever-increasing 

 number of requests received by the Division for information regarding such 

 method, as well as the apparent tendency on the part of many state livestock 

 oflficials to modify views formerly held against such measures. 



The favorable results obtained by the use of vaccination, as reported by herd 

 owners who have been using this method over various periods of time is with- 

 out question tending toward a more general use of vaccination in combating 

 Bang abortion disease. 



Regardless of the fact that Massachusetts, through this Division, is author- 

 ized by law (Chapter 314, Acts of 1938) to provide service in the vaccination 

 of calves between the ages of four and eight months, there has been little 

 demand for such service, presumably due to the limited age period during 

 which the service can be rendered, and to the requirements as to identification 

 .if calves, and the submitting of blood samples. 



During the year this service was furnished 32 owners to 99 calves located 

 as follows : 



Bristol County 4 owners, 9 calves 



Franklin County 1 OAvner, 3 calves 



Hampden County 15 owners, 55 calves 



Hampshire County 1 owner, 4 calves 



Middlesex County 3 owners, 6 calves 



Norfolk County 1 owner, 5 calves 



Plymouth County 1 owner, 1 calf 



Worcester County 6 owners, 16 calves 



