80 EXPERBIEXT STATION. [Tan. 



to animals. One partioiilarlv interesting sample of poor qnal- 

 ity corn stover and corn on the ear was received that had caused 

 the death of several cattle in a herd owing to the presence of 

 large amounts of alcohol and other products of fermentation 

 and decomposition that it contained. 



Several samples of milk sent in for examination have heen 

 found to be contaminated with bacteria, giving rise to- disagree- 

 able odors, bitter tastes and offensive discolorations. 



AVliile the diagnosis work requires a great amount of time it 

 certainlv is fruitful of the best results. Notwithstanding the 

 fact that it is not possible from the nature of the six'cimen sent, 

 or the condition in which it may be received, to make a correct 

 diagnosis in every instance, in the majority of cases it is possi- 

 ble to return to the farmer information of value that may enable 

 him to avoid or arrest diseases that cause considerable loss. It 

 is a means of bringing the veterinary service of the experiment 

 station to the aid of those farmers who are so situated that they 

 cannot avail themselves of the services of the private veterinary 

 practitioner. 



The correspondence branch of the service is closely co-ordi- 

 nated with the diagnosis work. It frequently happens that 

 farmers write to the department for information relative to 

 some disease that exists among their animals. From the details 

 of symptoms given in such cases it is often possible to arrive at 

 a correct diagnosis of the trouble and advise the writer what 

 course to follow to stamp out, successfully treat or prevent the 

 disease. In other instances no satisfactory conclusions can be 

 reached from the communication received and a specimen is 

 asked for, by which a correct diagnosis of the trouble can be 

 made and satisfactory directions given, by mail, for the suc- 

 cessful treatment of the case. Sj^ecimens from diseased animals 

 obtained in this manner not only furnish a means for making 

 a correct diagnosis, and enable us to give intelligent advice to 

 the owner of the animals, but they also supply materials of the 

 best quality for classroom and laboratory demonstrations for 

 students taking the courses in veterinary science and bacte- 

 riology in the department. 



The correspondence of the past year has called for informa- 

 tion covering a wide range of subjects relative to the care and 



