P.D. 123 15 



During the season all reports of suspected cases were investigated. A posi- 

 tive diagnosis was accepted in 13 cases, of which recoveries were reported in 

 5 — ^East Bridgewater (April), Gardner (August), Granby (October), North 

 Brookfield (May), Wareham (October) — and deaths in 8 — Dartmouth (Au- 

 gust), Easton (July), Hopkinton (July), Lancaster (August), New Braintree 

 (August), Northfield (July), Westboro (July and August). A positive diag- 

 nosis was confirmed by laboratory examination of brains of two horses — 

 New Braintree and Westboro (August). 



Regardless of the fact that early attention to vaccination may have been 

 beneficial, failure of the anticipated return of equine encephalomyelitis, epidemic 

 in extent, is believed to have resulted mainly because of weather conditions. 



EQUINE INFLUENZA 



Horse influenza, a disease generally associated with the transportation 

 of horses by rail and generally known as shipping fever, was reported early 

 in April. First reported in connection with a consignment of horses received 

 at a sales stable located in Lowell, it became practically epidemic, appearing 

 in widely separated sections of the Commonwealth, but traced more or less 

 directly to horses from the Lowell stable or to contact with such horses. Un- 

 usually virulent in type and exhibiting symptoms varying to a considerable 

 extent in character, and with an exceptionally high mortality rate, it was 

 somewhat confused with equine encephalomyelitis in many instances. Fortu- 

 nately, with the advent of warmer weather the outbreak abruptly subsided. 



AVIAN TUBERCULOSIS 



An investigation by the Division of a report from the State College that 

 avian tuberculosis had been identified in dead poultry sent to the college labor- 

 atory for diagnosis resulted in the finding of extensive infection by tubercu- 

 losis of a flock of poultry located in the eastern part of the State. 



From the history of birds in the flock "going light," frequent deaths, and 

 by finding tuberculosis in birds selected from the fiock at random, it was 

 decided that in the interest of public health the entire flock should be con- 

 demned and killed. Following this decision an order of killing was issued in 

 accordance with the law (Chapter 129, section 11, General Laws). The birds 

 in the flock were duly appraised by a representative of the Middlesex County 

 Farm Bureau and the poultry were slaughtered under inspection of two veteri- 

 narians — one from this Division and one representing the State Department 

 of Public Health. One hundred seventy-eight (178) birds were killed, of 

 which 58 were found diseased and the carcasses condemned. The carcasses 

 in which no disease was found were sold for food purposes, the proceeds 

 reverting to the owner of the flock. In addition, reimbursement was made 

 by the State in an amount to equal the full appraised value. No compensation 

 was allowed for the 58 condemned birds. 



Following condemnation and removal of the flock, the premises were thor- 

 oughly cleansed and disinfected, old woodwork was torn out and the ground 

 was turned over. 



The handling of this case brought to the attention of the Division certain 

 facts: (1) avian tuberculosis is more prevalent in Massachusetts than is gen- 

 erally suspected; (2) poultry prepared for market are dressed but not drawn 

 and, when sold to the consumer and drawn, no governmental inspection is 

 provided or required by law; (3) with few exceptions, the carcasses which 

 were condemned appeared to be in first class condition; and (4) with the few 

 exceptions mentioned above, all of the birds slaughtered, including the dis- 

 eased birds, would under ordinary circumstances have been disposed of for 

 food purposes through the usual market. 



FOWL TYPHOID 



An outbreak of fowl typhoid, which was confined to a relatively small area 

 in Middlesex County, was called to the attention of the Division in the month 

 of August by the county agent in that county. 



