490 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Of the above amount, the sum of $9,296.67 was for pay- 

 ment of claims and accounts of 1897. 



Cash received and turned over to State Treasurer : — 



For hides and carcasses, . $625 58 



For ear tags, 532 46 



For use of telephone, 1 00 



Total, $1,159 04 



The amount due and unpaid at the time of making this 

 report includes bill of Dr. L. Frothingham for micro- 

 scopic examinations and tests for glanders, rabies, etc., 

 from May 4 to December 15, $140 75 



J. W. Hitchings, services and expenses at quarantine sta- 

 tions from June 28 to December 15, ... . 99 50 



A. D. Phelps, services and expenses at quarantine stations 

 from July 4 to December 15, 70 46 



Chas. H. Perry, examination of glanders cases and auction 

 sale stables from May 7 to December 15, . . . 83 66 



Office expenses, clerks and stenographers, ... 61 32 



Total, $455 69 



The salaries of the commissioners and the amounts ex- 

 pended by them for travelling expenses, etc., remain 

 unpaid, amounting to $4,128 73 



Six animals have been condemned and killed for which no 

 claims have been filed. 



On May 14, no more money having been appropriated by 

 the Legislature, the Board consulted the Attorney-General's 

 office as to their duties in the matter. As a result, the fol- 

 lowing circular letter was sent to each local inspector, for 

 the purpose of putting a stop to the quarantining of animals 

 by them : — 



Boston, May 16, 1898. 



Dear Sir : — "We quote below an opinion from the Attorney- 

 General's office, relative to animals suffering with tuberculosis : — 



No appropriation having been made for carrying out the provisions 

 of the law relating to contagious diseases among domestic animals, the 

 Cattle Commissioners are not obliged to do anything which the law 

 commands them to do ; but a peculiar state of facts exists, to wit, that 

 an inspector appointed by the mayor and aldermen of a city or select- 

 men of a town, and paid by the city or town, is obliged to quarantine 

 any domestic animal, if he suspects it is afflicted with a contagious dis- 

 ease, and that animal has to remain in quarantine until released by the 



