The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-04-26
a PRESSING NEED,
A National Labratory for the InvsstIga-
ton of Diseases of Animals.

1t is not to the credit of the genius Of
our advanced agriculture that scientific
of the diseases of ami
mails have been carried on in only two
of our State experiment stations in ad-
dition to the work in the Agricultural
Department at Washington. 1t is be-
coming day by day more apparent that
scientific investigators work to greater
advantage when they have as checks
the results Of the investigations OF
collaborateurs. Our most experienced
psychologists and pathologists have
yet much to learn in the study Of germ
diseases, and the opportunities for mis-
take in their conclusions are SO great
that substantial advance is best assured
through comparison with results
worked out by others in the same field.
When Nebraska summoned Dr. Bill
lings to her State University it was
with the intent to set in motion lines OF
investigation which would rebound di-
rectly to the great material good OF the
stock-raiser, and now that the results
of his three years labors in this field
are beginning to be understood by the
farmers Of that State there is a unani-
nous demand for the continuation OF
the work which he inaugurated and
which was brought to close by his re-
tirement. At the Missouri State Uni
vsrsity, DIR. Paul Paquin, one of the
ablest of the younger generation of vet
erinarians, has begun what promises to
INnn ht.Ill tnTN fVaNT Nfor1N FNr
of animal diseases, but with these ex-
ceptions our State experiment stations
have not venturcd into this field which
so sadly needs investigation. Prof.
Liautard, editor of the American Veter-
mary Review, has this to say on the
subject in the February number of that
magazine, which the Breeders Gazette
commends to the serious consideration
of those charged with the conduct OF
our experiment stations:
Satisfied as we have been for years
Of the great value of Pasteur's discov.
cries, and of the immense benefits
which might be derived from their
proper Improvement, and the incalcu'
liable advantage which the veterinarian
and biopathologist might confer on the
profession through their application tc
the animals entrusted to their care, we
have again and again pleaded for the
introduction of a systematic and general
practice of preventive incubation in
the treatment of the contagious diseases
of our animal patients. We have urged
our brethren to enter upon a course q
experiments in that direction, and we
have imported and offered to furnish
our colleagues gratuitously with sup
ply of matter for incubation, and we
have at last earnestly asked Of ouI
friends who have charge of large expert
mental laboratories to work, prepare,
test and furnish the profession with the
viruses and cultures which are now
known beyond possible and reasonable
doubt to protect animals against the
dangers of infection and contagion. TIC
this day, however, our eXertions have
remained almost entirely fruitless.
Failures in the use of vaccines may
mean failures of the manipulations OF
methods of the laboratory, but they can
not disprove the efficacy of the princi.
pie of prophylaxy. 1t has been tested
too extensively in Europe for any doubt
on the subject, and we can not fail tc
succeed here under proper conditions
This is testimony broad and sweeping
of the value Of incubation as prevent
i've of the communicable diseases OF
live stock which add such risks to the in
dustry. We do not believe that DR.
Liautard would make such positive
statements concerning the efficacy oil
this means of prevention without hav.
ing the solid facts on which to rest
them, and if he is correct in his posi-.
ton the call comes to the experiment
stations with a clearness and emphasis
that admits of no denial to lnaugurate
the investigations necessary tc the per
fecting of these protective measures
Phis work must be undertaken. A Ma.
tional laboratory is needed, and it is
also demanded that competent workers
be placed in number of our stations
with ample provisions for the exercise
OF their best efforts. The more the sit
uation is studied the more derelict dc
those in charge of our stations appea!
to be in not having already instituted
Investigations of this nature.