58 a EXPERIMENT STATION. [J. 



an. 



serum and virus. There is also strong evidence that one ap- 

 plication of the simultaneous treatment to weaned pigs pos- 

 sessing an inherited immunity is sufficient to ])rotect the animal 

 against the usual type of hog cholera throughout its life. The 

 usual practice, at present, is to give weaned pigs a single dose 

 of anti-hog cholera serum, and then, at the age of twelve to 

 fourteen weeks, to give both serum and virus. If it is found 

 that the simultaneous treatment at the weaning time is suf- 

 ficient to protect throughout the life of the pig, the expense 

 and trouble of two treatments may be avoided. 



Special Problems. 



Early in the year two special problems came to the depart- 

 ment, each of which demanded immediate attention. A num- 

 ber of cows at the farm barn calved prematurely, and it was 

 thought that contagious abortion had gained a foothold in the 

 herd. At the poultry plant disease was ravaging the flock, as 

 many as ten to fifteen birds being found dead on successive 

 days. The condition became so acute that the farm com- 

 mittee of the Board of Trustees met to consider ways and 

 means of dealing with the situation. As a result of their de- 

 liberations it was decided to procure the services of a graduate 

 veterinarian to take the matter in hand, under the direction 

 of the head of the Veterinary Department. Dr. John B. 

 Lentz, a graduate of the Veterinary Department of the 

 University of Pennsylvania, who had been a member of the 

 staff of the Veterinary Department of the Experiment Station 

 in charge of the poultry disease elimination work, and who, 

 after his discharge from the service, had resigned his position, 

 was secured to come to the department to take charge of 

 these two special problems. He reported for service early in 

 Eebruary, and at once began an investigation of each problem. 



It was found at the farm barn that a considerable number 

 of cows had given birth j^rematurely, but there was no con- 

 clusive evidence that the contagious form of abortion existed 

 in the herd. A considerable number of cases of sterility, 

 vaginitis, metritis and other complications of abortion existed 

 in the herd. All of these conditions were taken in hand, and 



