REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. XXI 



in this service, and 45,400 cars were disinfected. It is hoped through 

 intelligent effort to considerably reduce the area now infected with 

 this contagion. 



Much attention has also been given to the repression of scabies in 

 sheep. The number of animals inspected in this service was nearly 

 8,000,000, and over 1,000,000 were dipped in a proper liquid for the 

 cure or prevention of the disease under the supervision of our inspect- 

 ors. The effect of the regulations bearing upon this disease has been 

 remarkably beneficial, the number of diseased sheep reaching the mar- 

 kets of the country having been greatly reduced. 



One of the most common diseases of cattle is known as blackleg — a 

 malignant and fatal swelling which appears frequently in one of the 

 limbs, causing great discoloration of the affected parts. The only 

 means of combating this disease is by vaccination, and to assist our 

 stock raisers more than one and a half millions of doses of the vaccine 

 have been distributed. This is an increase of more than 50 per cent 

 over the previous year. The demands for this vaccine have been most 

 urgent, and it is evident that its preparation and distribution have 

 been of great benefit. The reports show that the losses have been 

 reduced to less than 1 per cent in affected herds, whereas formerly 

 they were in most cases 10 per cent or more. 



Tuberculin and mallein have also been prepared and distributed to 

 State and other local authorities to aid them in detecting tuberculosis 

 in cattle and glanders in horses. The assistance thus rendered has 

 enabled much work to be done localuy for the control of these diseases 

 which otherwise would not have been possible. More than 44,400 

 doses of tuberculin and 7,000 doses of mallein have been thus supplied. 



There are several lines of work which might still be taken up with 

 much benefit to stock raisers in certain sections of the country. Cattle 

 for improving the blood of the herds of our Southern States can only 

 be taken there safely after inoculation with the germs of Texas fever. 

 The Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station has had the enterprise 

 to undertake the inoculation of cattle which the breeders of that State 

 desired to ship to the infected area, and the Texas station has also done 

 good work along this line. It was first shown by this Department that 

 such inoculation was a practicable method of prevention, and in the 

 interest of the large section of the South which needs inoculated stock 

 and at present can not obtain it the Bureau of Animal Industry should 

 undertake to thus treat animals which are intended for interstate ship- 

 ment. There has also been witnessed a considerable outbreak of 

 anthrax in the southern Mississippi Valley, and the Department has 

 been unable to give aid, notwithstanding most urgent appeals. This 

 disease may likewise be prevented by a reliable vaccine, but the 

 facilities and appropriations now available will not permit this work 

 to be undertaken. 



