The Washington times., 1914-11-23
SAY TILE DISEASE
IS NOW RESTRICTED
Officials Think They Have Con-
fined Epidemic Within Quar-
antined District.

Department of Agriculture officials
are confident today that they are ''on
the outside of the foot-and-mouth
disease" BY this they mean that they
have it confined within the quaran-
tined zone with the danger OF further
spread minimized. They point to lift
ing of the Canadian quarantine, ana
modification of the quarantine in two
States as warrant for such belief.
Quarantines already established have
been sufficient, 1t is said, to stop the
movement of infected cattle, and the
disease can now be held in the areas
of present infection. 1t Is possible.
officials say, that sporadic cases may
develop in one or two more States.
The fact that it has not been neces-
sRry to quarantine the whole State or
Washington against the disease. des-
pite the presence of the disease In
Spokane. is regarded as another cause
for encouragement.
At the present time the States most
seriously affected are Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, and Pennsylvania. These are
all feeding States: that is, States In
which farmers make practice of buy
ing cattle and swine and finishing them
for the market. The quarantine Sc
rfously interfered with this business.
This implies considerable loss to the
farmers in addition to the expense in
CURED by the Government In the
slaughter of the herds actually infec-
ted.
Concern For New England.
Outside of this belt the three New
England States OF Connecticut, Rhode
Island and Massachusetts are piving
the greatest concern, because they are
small and densely populated. Though
the number of cattle infected is small,
40 no rinla before
any OF the quarantines are lifted in this
region.
The situation in New York. it Is
said, seems to be well in hand. The
greatest single loss has been that Of
dairy herd Of 2SS in the Borough
Of Queens on Long Island, which was
slaughtered. In Delaware and New
Jersey the disease has been held to
the place of inception.
The most encouraging reports to-
day were from Michigan. it is said.
where the disease started. A farm
to-farm Inspection Is being made.
Progress is being made in all other
sections. though there is come doubt
A snow at this time, the officials
SAY. would be great boon In stamp
ing out the disease, though 1t will
probably be six months before all
danger Of a renewed outbreak is
passed.
Story Is Denied.
DR.. Mohler Of the Bureau Of Animal
Industry. characterized as utterly false
and absurd the story printed yesterday
morning TO the effect that there was
wholesale smuggling of cattle from West
Virginia and Maryland Quarantiucd
States. into Virginia, and thence into
tie District.
He said that the story that diseased
cattle or cattle having any symptoms
OF the foot-and-mouth disease were
coming into Washington or the Dis
trict was untrue. He explained that
The department, State and District Of
ficials have a safeguard against smugg-
ling or the moving of diseased animals,
EDd that every animal coming from
Leesburg, Manassas or other Virginia
points is inspected. as soon as 1t reaches
Rosslyn or The District
Cattle coming in for shipment to
Northern markets. are unloaded, in
spected. examined and permitted to go
out, only after the cars have been
sealed, he said
We have run down many rumors OF
diseased cattle" he said. without re-
suit The only stock that crossed
from Maryland in Virginia, was
brought across from Montgomery into
Fairfax county before the quarantine
was declared.
We have inspectors all along the
line. In addition. DR.. Drake. Virginia
deputy commissioner, is at Leesburg,
cooperating with the Federal officers
and watching State shipments. His
father is dairy inspector in northern
Virginia for the District Health Of
bce. and he has found no smuggling
or evidence Of the disease in Vir-
ginia-"
1t is declared that every car load
OF cattle, sheep, or ruminants coming
into the yards at RossIyn, Benning
or other points. is unloaded for feed
and water under supervision OF Fed
eral inspectors and theseinspectors
when reloading was necessary, super
vised and sealed the cars.
Police officials. from Acting Chief
Boardman down. declare that not
shipment of any kind has come into the
District direct from Maryland. Every
road is being watched night and day,
and farmers driving in are not even be
ing permitted to bring feed Cor their
horses. They are not even allowed to
bed potatoes In straw, as straw Is pro-
hibited.
Department OF Agriculture officials be-
lieve that the foot-and-mouth disease IS
now well under control. There have
been no new developments of conse-
Quence for several Gays.
At the request of Federal and State
authorities. Capt Franklin Williams.
Chairman. has called a special meeting
Of the board OF supervisors of Fairfax
county. 10 consider the advisability OF
closing the hunting season at once. to
prevent possibility Of the spread of foot
and-mouth disease. II is feared that
the disease may be carried by hunters
or their dogs. This measure. ii is ex
planned, is purely Il precautionary Cne.
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