THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF PULLORUM 



DISEASE ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1951-1952 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratoryi 



INTRODUCTION 



Testing results for the 1951-52 season reveal that Massachusetts poultrymen 

 have been successful in further elimination of pullorum infection from their 

 flocks. Only 225 reactors were detected among 1,370,430 samples tested. The 

 average percentage of reactors is the lowest on record for Massachusetts. At the 

 close of the season, only five flocks were classified as positive. It is also encourag- 

 ing to note that 96.37 per cent of the total birds tested were in 100 per cent 

 tested nonreacting flocks. 



During the past year testing operations proceeded with few difficulties, and 

 the majority of flock owners received service when they requested it. The co- 

 operation of the flock owners was appreciated and enabled the laboratory staff 

 to render high quality service to the industry. 



Appreciation is also expressed for the cooperation and assistance received in 

 this program from the Extension Service, the Massachusetts Department of 

 Agriculture, and other agencies. 



SUMMARY OF SERVICE RENDERED 



Flocks tested 510 



Chicken flocks 417 



Turkey flocks 72 



Pheasant flocks 21 



Number of tests 1,406,481 



Chickens: 



Routine 1,361,452 



Experimental 8,978 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine 36,039 



Experimental 12 



Owners receiving necropsy service 35 



Necropsies of reacting birds 81 



'Poultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: H. Van Roekel, Research Professor in charge; 

 G. H. Snoeyenbos, G. P. Faddoul, J. E. Gray, Research Professors; O. S. Flint (resigned), Miriam 

 K. Clarke, O. M. Olesiuk, J. E. Gray, Assistant Research Professors; G.W. Fellows, H. A. Peck, 

 R. L. Bennett, C. D. Brandt (resigned), and B. A. Bachman (resigned), Research Assistants. 

 Appreciation is extended to Dr. K. L. BuUis, Head of the Department, for assistance in the testing 

 work. 



