The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-19
I %L1VeStOCk
-. ID

An army of t~ireless and efficient
workers is constantly engaged in pro-
tecting the health of meat eaters in
the United States and at the same
time protecting the animal popula-
ton from loss by disease. These men
are the employees of the bureau Of
animal industry, United States de-
partment of agriculture, and the EN-
plOyees of the various state; city and
county bureaus of animal industry
units.
The efficiency Of the federal bureau
of animal industry, no doubt, must be
attributed to the fact that the per-
sonnet has literally grown into the
positions Of responsibility. The fed
eral bureau. was established by act Of
congress, May %, 1884. During the
period to date, more than AZ years,
there have been only three heads Of
the bureau-Dr. D. E. Salmon, DR..
A. D. Melvin, and DR.. ]. R. Mohler.
Both DR.. Melvin, who served for only
a few years before death claimed
him, and DR.. Mohler, present chief
Of the bureau, grew up from the
ranks. In other words, the efficiency
of the federal bureau is undoubtedly
the result of the few changes of per-
sonnet over long periods Of time
three chiefs in nearly half a century!
Starting from a small beginning in
1884, the bureau is now recognized
as the standard of the world. The
personnel are graduates of veterinary
colleges. In no instance does a man
occupy a position of authority until
he has served in all departments over
a long period of time.
Probably the most outstanding
work of the bureau is the meat in
spection service, which was inaug-
urated by act Of congress in 1891.
Actually, meat inspection was start
ed in this country as the result of
export trade, foreign countries de-
manding that our meats be inspected
before receiving them. What the
foreigner exacted was thought none
too good for ourselves.
Other great projects being carried
on by the bureau include the suppress
sion and eradication of disease in
livestock. The bureau gained its first
great recognition in the period from
1884-1892, when a successful cam
paign. for the eradication of bovine
pleuro pneumonia, a very contagious
disease and almost as disastrous as
foot and mouth disease, was carried
on. The disease was completely
eradicated by 1894 and there has new
er been a serious recurrence.
There have been three serious out
breaks of foot ard mouth disease in
the United States and five minor out
breaks. All of these outbreaks were
eradicated after strenuous work and
the most active cooperation from the
state forces.
The federal bureau is given the
credit for suppression Of hog cholera,
due to the discovery of serum and
virus by an employee of the bureau,
DR.. E. A. de Schweintz, late in the
COS. Sheep scab and cattle scab have
been almost completely eradicated,
saving western stockmen millions OF
dollars. Texas fever has been almost
entirely eliminated by bureau work
ers and the infected area reduced to
a small section comparatively.
1t was in 1917 that tuberculosis
control and eradication was started
by the bureau. Since that time.
100000 ~'reactor" cow have been
slaughtered, for the betterment of
the health Of the human race and
with great economic gains by elm
mating the unhealthy and unfit
stock. This work has been carried
out under q plan of compensation
based upon federal and state partici.
patton.
Important also in the bureaus work
has been the continued campaign fol
improved and more profitable live.
stock through encouraging the use OF
pure bred sires. The period durins
which this campaign has been under
way has seen the greatest improve.