The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-09

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appearance in northern Illinois of the
foot-and-mouth disease after it had
been apparently stamped out early in
the year, was issued recently by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. From this statement It appears
that the outbreak has now been defln-
itely traced to an antihog-cholera SER
um prepared from the blood Of hogs
infected with foot-and-mouth disease
but showing at the time the serum was
manufactured no symptoms Of the con-
tagion. According to the statement,
the serum was thoroughly tested be-
fore 1t was permitted to be placed upon
the market, and the tests failed to re.
veal any evidence Of contamination.
After tho recurrence OF the disease In
Illinois, samples Of the serum were
tested again and again by the Depart
ment Of Agriculture and also tested by
the United States Public Health Ser
vice. 1t was not until the sixty-second
animal used in the tests had been In
0culated with the serum, however, that
the psychologists of the Department
were able to produce any symptoms of
foot-and.mouth disease.
The Departments statement Is as
follows:
/ In October 1914 an outbreak of foot
and-m0uth disease-the first in this
country in six years-was discovered
In the vicinity of Niles, Michigan. Des.
pite thorough investigation, the rrce
of the infection remains unknown. II
was learned, however, that before the
occurrence was reported to Washing.
ton and the disease diagnosed by vet
erinarians familiar with 1t through ex-
perience in past outbreaks, animals
from the infected area had reached
Chicago. Owing to the extreme con-
tagiousness of the disease the Union
Stock Yards were quarantined (Octo-
Der 31.) Ordinarily several days or a
week elapse between infection and the
appearance Of symptoms, and although
there was no conclusive evidence on
the point it was believed possible that
th animals In question might have
reached the yards in the incubative
stage and infected them.
On November list this belief was
strengthened by the discovery of the
disease In the cattle being exhibited
at the Dairy Show In the immediate
vicinity of the yards. In the yards
however, the first case did not appear
until November 3. The next day foot
and-mouth disease was found among
the hogs at the establishment OF the
Great Western Serum Company. This
establishment was quarantiDed al
once and at about tho same time q
precautionary quarantine was also
placed upon another establishment
that of the Chicago Serum Company
located about a mile away, although
no actual cases OF the disease had been
found at this second establishment. Al
that time the Chicago Serum Com
pany had on hand approximately 101,
600 cubic centimeters of anti-hog-chol
era serum which which had been pre-
pared late In October. All of this ser
um was placed under official seal by
the inspectors Of the Department ant
withheld from distribution.
During the ensuing six months the
disease, which had spread widely over
by the slaughter of all exposed herds
1t was then decided that the law re
quired the Department to comply with
the request of the Chicago Serum Com
pany for test of the serum In order
that II II were found safe, 1t might bt
placed upon the market. The Nationa
Serum Law gives the Department MT
authority to refuse to permit the sale
OF a serum unless II is contaminated
dangerous, or worthless.
Arrangements were accordingl,
made by the Chicago Serum Compan,
for test under the supervision of the
Department. Forty-one thousand Gu
bic centimeters OF the serum were
Thoroughly mixed and rebottled, and OIL
June 30 samples were injected into
eight small hogs. Two check-hogs were
also included in the test, Although In
jections AZ large as 40 cubic centimet
ers were used, 1t is certain that none o.
these hogs developed foot-and.moutt
disease. The test being thus absolut,
ly nogative--that is to say no indica
tions of the disease resulting from it
the company was informed that Il
could ship out the sernum to It's Gus
toners.
On August 8 the inspector in charge
OF field inspection at Chicago tele
phoned to Washington that case o
foot-and.mouth disease had been dis
covered in "a herd which had been In
Oculated with this serum in Cool