The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-12-13

bites and infects several animals IN
herd, and the owner is not aware o
It's visit until the animal bitten show
symptoms of a strange disease that 4
seldom diagnosed properly until |
veterinarian Is called.
Decline OF Sheep Industry.
A few years ago Pennsylvania rank
ed high as sheep raising state, Will,
at the present time comparatively few
sheep are kept The decline followed tC
a marked degree the development oi
mining in the western section OF the
state, not only because the mining opera
hons decreased the amount of pasture
sands, but because of the great mum
ber of foreigners who worked in the
mines and gathered about them a vast
horde of worthless dogs, over which
they had little or no control, These
dogs were underfed, not confined and
roamed about, fought with other dogs
and spread rabies through those sec
tions.
During two months of this year
thirty-four cases OF rabies were re
ported from twenty-four counties, and
in five additional cases the diagnosis
Of rabies was made at the laboratory
Quarantines to the number OF 16l were
served on 425 animals, and they were
kept under close observation for 10C
days. In four communities it was nee
essary. to establish general quarntines
which covered territory ranging In
size from one to five townships. In ad
dition to suppressing and eradicating
the disease the state board, through
representatives in the field, is endeav
oring to educate farmers as to the
symptoms presented by different ami
mails affected with rabies.
Anthrax has been prevalent in sew,
eral sections of the state for years,
and in some cases the losses have
been high. For the past few years the
board has recommended the annual
spring vaccination of animals against
anthrax in sections where the disease
has been known to exist.
Expense Borne by the State.
The work is done atthe expense OF the
state and the results have been uni
formly satisfactory. In addition to the
annual spring vaccination 457 animals
were immunized this year during July
and August in five counties. Blackleg
occurs occasionally in all portions of the
state. 1t has many points in common
with anthrax and preventive vaccina
tion is the only means known fol-
checking it. The state board has beer
remarkably successful in fighting 1t.
A quarantine against Texas fever
has been maintained by the federal |
bureau of animal industry for years
yet occasionally native cattle are con |
fined in sheds, driven across chutes OF
shipped in cars that have been con
taminated by southern cattle and have
not been properly cleaned or disin !
fected. During the past summer three |
outbreaks occurred in Pennsylvania
In each case the disease was recog
nized promptly and its spread imme
diately checked Nearly 200 animals
were exposed and twenty-four died.
The board employs agents to su
peryise slaughter houses in the rural
districts Of the state AS a result the
rural slaughter houses now are better |
equipped. cleaner and far better man
aged than ever before Many dis |
eased carcssses, which would have
found their way TO the table If they
had not been discovered by these
agents. have been condemned and de
stroyed. The state provides money tc
pay the owner the appraised value OF
a condemned tuberculous carcass sc
he will not be tempted to dispos, OF II
for food purposes to prevent his own
loss
Support Of Tener Administration.
milk hygiene service recently has
been organized Three qualified agents |
have been selected to travel through |
the state and assist the local agents |
in carrying out the requirements Of
the board. The bulk of the work will |
be carried on by local veterinarians
Their principal duties at first will be
along educational lines
The live stock sanitary board has |
received the support of every legis
lature since its organization. The
favorable attitude of Governor John
X. Tener is indicated by his
deep interest in its work and his ap
proval of measures intended to in
crease its efficiency Governor Tener
Is president of the board is work is
by DR. G. J. Marshall, state
veterinarian, and one on the highest
authorities in this country on the dis
eases of domestic animals.