510 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In the United States the percentage of disease is generally 

 low, although in certain districts it approaches the high rate 

 of European countries. In Maine the percentage of rejected 

 animals is about 0.93 per cent. ; in Vermont, about 2.41 per 

 cent. ; in New York, about 4.32 per cent. ; and in New 

 Hampshire, about 10.39 per cent. In these cases of course 

 the percentage is based on the number rejected for shipment 

 to Massachusetts ; and, as presumably only apparently 

 healthy animals are tested for the purpose of export, this 

 percentage is probably lower than the actual amount of in- 

 fection. 



In Massachusetts the percentage of disease averages a 

 good deal higher. In the fall of 1894, 28 herds, scattered 

 over different towns, were tested, these including 660 cattle. 

 Of these, 188 were condemned, showing a percentage of 

 28.48. About the same time some 12 or 15 herds in Middle- 

 sex County were tested, these including 312 animals, and of 

 these, 34, or 10.89 per cent., were found infected. 



From June 5 to Dec. 15, 1895, herds including 4,095 

 animals were tested ; of these, 1,081, or 26.4 per cent., were 

 found to be tuberculous. In 1897, 157 herds, including 

 2,413 cattle, were tested; of these, 1,397, or 53.79 per 

 cent., were found to be infected animals. A general per- 

 centage of all the herds tested in Massachusetts would in- 

 clude 7,480 animals ; of these, 2,600, or 34.75 per cent., were 

 found to be infected. 



As has already been noticed, most infected animals are 

 found in the milk-producing, and, therefore, in the infected, 

 districts ; and, while probably the general average through- 

 out the State is slightly lower than in these districts, yet the 

 general average of infection is high. 



Fortunately, by far the larger proportion, probably 75 or 

 80 per cent, of these cases, are slight localized cases ; but it 

 is no use hiding the fact that these animals are infected ani- 

 mals, and, placed under proper conditions, in any one of 

 them the disease might develop and the animal become a 

 diseased animal. It is the duty of the State, then, to spread 

 information, and educate and assist the owners of stock to 

 place their cattle under such conditions as to assist in retard- 

 ing the possible development of these infected but not affected 



