INTRODUCTION 
Over the years, the disease, avian botulism, has been an important factor 
limiting populations of waterfowl, particularly in the West. Great numbers 
(doubtless millions) of ducks have died from this disease, and because of such 
heavy tolls, studies of the malady were begun early in the century and continued 
intermittently to the present time. 
This summary brings up to 1950 the series of investigations on botulism by 
Wetmore (1918), Kalmbach (1930, 1932), Kalmbach and Gunderson (193), Sperry 
(1947), and others. This information has been compiled as a service to those 
concerned with conservation of our waterfowl resources. A cooperative agreement 
between the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior and the 
Microbiological Laboratory of the United States Public Health Service, for the 
resumption of intensified studies of this malady suggests the need of such a 
summary at this time. 
The problem of avian botulism is an exceptionally involved one. Ideas about 
its cause and control have changed with the passing of time, and current concepts 
may be revised as studies continue. Consequently, finality has been avoided in 
interpretation of results of the various investigators. 
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