The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-12-01

another state or country. 1t Is imrCr1
tive that dealers, dairymen and bree j.
ers should oLlyrve the laws, rules
and regulations for shipping cattle
from one state to another in accord
ance with the requirements of the
state live stock sanitary board. The
federal authorities have wisely pro-
vided that cattle failing to pass a tu-
berculin test cannot be shipped or
moved from one state to another.
Rabies is one of the most impor an
diseases with which the state boarl
has to deal. A rabid dog frequently
bites and infects several animals in
herd, and the owner is not aware o.
its visit until the animal bitten shows
symptoms of a strange disease tha, Is
seldom diagnosed properly until a
veterinarian is called.
Decline Of Sheep Industry.
A few years ago Pennsylvania rank
ed high as a sheep raising state, while
at the present time comparatively few
sheep are kept. The decline followed to
a marked degree the development of
state, not only because the mining opera
tions decreased the amount OF pasture
lands, but because of the great num-
Der 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 161 were
served on 425 animals, and they were
| kept under close observation for 100
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
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-
ton is the only means known for
checking it. The state board has been
remarkably successful in fighting it.
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 or
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 it's spread imme
| diafa1u ohaclYad Naarlu IL
were exposed and twenty-four died.
The board employs agents to ST.
pervise slaughter houses in the rural
districts of the state. AS result the
! rural slaughter houses now are better
equipped, cleaner and far better man
aged than ever before. Many dis
eased carcasses, 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 to
pay the owner the appraised value OF
condemned tuberculous carcass sc
he will not be tempted to dispose of il
for food purposes to prevent his own
loss.
Support of Tener Administration.
A 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 oi
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 Joh1
X. Tener is indicated by his
deep interest in its work and his ap
proval of measures intended to in
crease its efficiency. Governor TeneI
Is president of the board. It's work IL
directed by Dr. G. J. Marshall, state
veterinarian, and one on the highest
authorities in this country on the dis
eases of domestic animals.
They saw that anv ona can learn