, 1907-01-09

900, 900. The industry Is stlll in its
infancy but the systematic develop
ment Of agriculture should open a wide
field for the expansion of the sheep
growing and sheep feeding business.
There are two imminent perils: First,
the overstocking Of the range followed
by a hard winter, which might
disastrous loss. This win be eliminate
ed by the development of agriculture.
Second, the reinfection of our ranges
by scabies. which in years past has
cost our 1ockmasters hundreds of
thousands of dollars, and would now
mean a loss of millions.
The present state board of sheep
commissioners is using Herculean Of.
forts to prevent such n catastrophe.
In its annual report II year ago. the
board stated there was not a known
case of infection in the state. Now
the board reports a number of cases
of scab among ilocks In widely separat-
ed districts, and states that this in
rease in scab-infection Is due TO two
causes First, carelessness upon the
part of n few flOckmasterS, and one
or TWO government inspectors operat-
ing in the state; and second. 10 the
fact that sheep carrying government
bills. certifying them to be clean. but
which We're diseased or developed
scabies, have been imported fem other
states. These outbreaks of scab, and
especially the frequent importation
of diseased sheep from outside the
state, are convincing proof of the nee
essity for continued vigilance on the
part of the state authorities to prevent
the re.infection of the flocks of Wyo-
ming, and q return to the d~eplorable
conditions that prevailed prior to and
during the years 1929.
Owing to the uncertainty in some
OF thc laws governing the sheep indus
try. the board believes the entire
code should he gone over by the attor-
ney general, all obsolete parts cut ont,
and others ~re-enacted by this legisla.
ture. In this work the board will as
sist, and i'm view of present needs
brought about by the ever changing
conditions, suggests n number of i'm
pOrtant amendments.
During the past two years 479,41)
sheep and 1854 bucks have been i'm
ported into the state. and fees collect
ed thereon a~ggregating $~19,15G.08. The
members of this board serve without
compensation, and only men having
at heart the welfare of the state and
the sheep industry would render free
ly and voluntarily such valuable SER
vice.
The biennial report of the secretary
of the board of live stock commissions
ers contains the financial statement
n1I a 1ntniIpl moment 80 ;nz.a,.,,
work during the past two years, togeth-
err with copies of advertised lists of
estrays sent out as required by law.
The annual brand books SEN to inspec-
tors at market centers have been
promptly and carefully compiled.
The secretary estimates that 1t Will
require a state appropriation of $4,000
TO carry on the work during the next
two years.
Health and Sanitation.
As the material success of a people
is largely dependent on health condi-
tons. and as freedom from disease is
to a very great extent a matter of san
itation. 1t Is of prime Importance that
scientific sanitary methods be not on
ly understood by the people of every
N'hhiiihiiAN III inc 9ldltt Jul dloO llldl
under proper regulations they be en-
forced.
Isolated cases of smallpox have been
reported from all parts of the state,
and epidemics of alarming severity,
by the unfortunate failure Of
attending physicians to recognize the
disease, have occurred in Albany and
Crook counties. The active campaign
waged by state health authorities in
these particular localities, enforcing
quarantine, vaccination and disinfec-
tion have prevented a general dissem-
ination of this plague.
An outbreak of scarlet fever occurred
at ~Thermopolis and the c%ontagion was
permitted to spread to the adjacent
country and towns. The disease was
of q very virulent and malignant form,
resulting in several deaths, but at the
present time the number of cases are
few.
In addition to the foregoing instances
of contagious diseases there have been
cases of typhoid fever, an
infectious disease, generally contract
ed from contaminated water supply.
AS typhoid fever is preventable there
Is llllIt VI no tACuSe lOT continued
outbreaks of this disease in different
parts of the state. and there should
be established with the officers of each
municipality such relations as will re-
suit in cooperation with the state
board of health leading to better sani-
tary regulations of water supplies.
sewerage systems, the disposition of
sewerage, garbage and waste. Proper
along these lines can only be
by cooperation between
health authorities and a full compre-
hension by the individuals of every
community of the value of sanitation.
The collection of vital satisfies is a
valuable adjunct to the work of the
board of health, and recognition
of this fact has led the federal govern
ment to suggest to the several states
legislation to that end. | therefore
recommend that the present powers
of the state board of health be enlarg-
ed and its authority be made to in
clude registration of deaths and births,
and the collection of vital statistics.
State Board of Medical Examiners.
The present medical law authorized
me to appoint three regularly licensed
of the state of Wyoming