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BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Laboratory Report. 



The following is a report of the work in the laboratory 

 of the Board during the year : — 



To the Board of Cattle Commissioners, Boston, Mass. 



Gentlemen : — We herewith submit a report of the work done 

 iu the laboratory under the direction of the Board for the year 

 1896. It has consisted of the examination of specimens, which 

 have been sent by inspectors and others, of doubtful cases of 

 disease, where a careful and microscopic examination was needed ; 

 of experimental work and of the chemical analysis of water and 

 sanitary inspection of premises. 



There have been about two hundred specimens examined, which 

 are classified in Table I. 



Tuberculosis shows the largest number, as the work has been 

 mainly du'ected to that during the year. The most interesting 

 cases were those where a very minute lesion was found in cattle 

 that had given a high reaction, and emphasizes the necessity of a 

 thorough examination of every gland before placing the case 

 among those in which the test failed. This confirms the experi- 

 ence of last year. 



Swine are the next greatest sufferers from the disease ; while 

 the samples from sheep, hens or dogs have not shown any positive 

 evidences, and, although its existence among these animals is not 

 denied, its spontaneous occurrence must be regarded as a great 



