EDITORIAL. 
437 
mers, no direction in which the results of scientific discoveries should be of more 
value. Since 1884 every effort has been made to press forward such investiga¬ 
tions and to secure reliable results. The laboratory space has been increased, the 
most perfect apparatus made in the world has been obtained, the work has been 
divided, and thorough experts placed in charge of each branch of it. The result 
has been the elucidation of these formerly mysterious maladies and the publica¬ 
tion of reports which have received the praise of most scientists at home and 
abroad. It may be truly said that for accuracy of work and for the originality 
and value of the conclusions these reports have led the investigations of the world 
in this class of disease. 
Unfortunately the confidence of American stock-owners in scientific work in 
general, and in that of this department in particular, has been shaken by violent 
attacks which originated with a professor in the University of Nebraska. In 
these attacks he has been assisted by the State Agricultural Experiment Station, 
which has published and distributed to the world a bulletin of over four hundred 
pages, the greater part of which is devoted to misrepresenting and distorting the 
statements in the reports of this bureau and in laying claims to discoveries which 
are by no means demonstrated, but which it is asserted disprove the work of this 
bureau and indicate measures of prevention different from those heretofore rec¬ 
ommended. One of the regents of the University of Nebraska and a professor in 
the University of Ohio have made similar assertions, and more recently it is re¬ 
ported that the National Swine Breeders’ Association has passed a resolution ask¬ 
ing that the Commissioner of Agriculture provide for an independent investiga¬ 
tion of this subject. 
Considering that the questions involved are of great importance to the coun¬ 
try and should be definitely passed upon at an early date by competent special 
ists; considering also that these questions are such that none but specialists are 
qualified to judge of their merits, either from the reports or from any other ar¬ 
guments that might be furnished, I would respectfully recommend the appoint¬ 
ment of a board of three disinterested scientists to investigate and decide the 
points at issue. I would also recommend that at least two of these experts 
should be selected from among those named by the professor first mentioned as 
suitable men to decide upon such difficult scientific problems. 
The laboratory and experiment station of the Bureau of Animal Industry 
will be placed at the disposal of such a board, as will also all other facilities for 
the investigations. 
Conscious that the scientific work of this bureau has been systematically, 
thoroughly and honestly performed, I invite the closest scrutiny, in the firm be¬ 
lief that our discoveries will be confirmed, and that when our farmers understand 
the character of the work which has been done they will appreciate the value of 
the department more than before and have greater confidence in its efforts in their 
behalf. (Signed) D. E. Salmon, 
Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry. 
Veterinary Associations. —The measures adopted some few 
years ago by veterinarians in the Eastern States for promoting the 
formation of organized societies, have beeA gradually producing 
