ANIMAL PARASITE AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS This same project covers our investigational work on animal parasites and on other of these infectious diseases. I have some statements here in connection with them which I would like the privilege of putting in the record. The CHAIRMAN. Yes; please do so. (The statements referred to are as follows:) It has been determined as a result of experimentation that the right time to treat horses for the removal of bots is about 1 month after the appearance of freezing weather. The adult flies disappear after the first frost, and the larvae which have been taken into the mouth of a horse or mule before the disappearance of the flies require from 21 to 28 days for development in the tongue before they reach the stomach. This information was made available promptly to States engaged in horse bots campaigns. Practical control measures for the kidney worm of swine were tested in cooperation with hog growers in the South. The control plan developed by this Bureau includes, in addition to general sanitation, a thin, bare strip of soil all around the hog pasture, the bare area being sufficiently wide at one end to accommodate the A-type houses, feeding pen for the sows, creep with self-feeder for the pigs and watering equipment. Under this system of management a large proportion of the infective kidney worm material, eliminated with the urine of infested sows, is killed by exposure to sunlight, heat, and drying. Cooperators who followed this control plan raised pigs practically free from kidney worms, whereas pigs from check herds showed liver involvement in 96.5 percent and kidney involvement in 32 percent of the hogs slaughtered. Information was also secured relative to the life history of swine modular worms, and precise determinations were made regarding the distribution of infective material on pastures, the period of survival of the larvae underfavorable and under adverse conditions. These facts have a practical bearing on control, and experiments with control in view are now in progress. In the field of treatment for parasitic infection several noteworthy discoveries were made. It has been determined that the addition of vinegar in Shall quantities to the drinking water of chickens checks to a large extent the ravages of coccidiosis. A paste, of which derris powder is the active ingredient, and which can be rolled into the form of rods, was found 100 percent effective in killing cattle grubs. The advantages of this treatment are that the ingredients are harmless to cattle and that the medicated sticks can be inserted into the warble holes by the cattle owners themselves. A drug, normal butylidene chloride, first proposed by this Bureau, was found to be highly effective in removing intestinal roundworms from chickens. Another chemical, carbon bisulphide, was found to be highly effective for the destruction of swine stomach worms. Critical tests showed that a 1 percent solution of copper sulphate containing 0.75 percent of 40-percent nicotine sulphate was very effective for the removal of the common sheep stomach worm. Marked success was obtained in the treatment of filariasis (heartworm) of dogs, with the drug Fouadin. Dogs treated with this drug showed great clinical improvement, the larvae disappeared from the circulating blood, and, many, in some cases, all of the adult worms in the heart were destroyed. INVESTIGATIONS OF OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES Infectious encephalomyelitis of horses.-This disease has existed for many years in the United States under the commonly designated terms of "forage poisoning", "cerebrospinal meningitis ", staggers", or "Kansas-Nebraska horse disease" and has caused particularly heavy losses among horse stock in certain years in various parts of the country. The exact cause of the disease was in doubt until it was shown by workers in California in 1930 and 1931, when a severe epizootic occurred in that State, that it was an infectious disease due to a filter passing virus. The disease appeared in epizootic form in a number of States in 1932, and a severe outbreak Occurred in 1933 in the eastern part of the United States, as well as in a numler of States in the West and Middle West, causing great losses. The Pathological Division has been engaged since 1932 in an extensive investigation of the disease. The virus has been isolated from cases of the disease in South Dakota in 1932 and 1933 and from a number of cases in Maryland and Delaware in 1933. Studies, which need to be continued, are in progress on the properties of the virus, modes of spread of the disease, and the development of serums and vaccines to control the malady. Work now in progress lends encouragement to the possible development of effective biologics, both serums and vaccines, to aid in the control of the disease. Mammitis of cattle.-Mammitis, mastitis, or garget, an inflammation of the udder, is the cause of great loss to the dairy industry. The disease is present at some time or other in practically all dairies, and the milking value of many high-producing cows is ruined following an attack of the disease. In 1929 it was estimated by the chief veterinarian of a large dairy in New York that the total annual loss from this disease in New York alone amounts to more than $8,000,000. During the past year a study of the clinic and bacteriology of the disease has been made, as well as an inquiry into the methods now available for the detection of the malady. Investigations have been and are now under way to study the efficacy of various types of vaccines in the control and treatment of the disease. All of this work has yielded information of value in furthering our knowledge of varicus aspects of the disease. Much of this work has been done in the laboratory and in the field in cooperation with local dairies. However, it is now thought advisable that work be undertaken on experimental cows and heifers at the experiment station at Bethesda in order to gather exact information on the transmission of the disease under carefully controlled conditions, and to learn of the various factors that may be responsible for the spread of the disease from animal to animal. As mastitis has baffled investigators for many years, it will take continuous and concentrated investigational work carried on in a logical manner step by step to obtain the information needed to control the disease. Anaplasmosis.-This disease continues to cause losses in the livestock industry and that it is spreading is shown by its appearance in a herd in one of the Northern States rather remote from the anaplasmosis territory. Investigational work has been carried out in Washington and in the field in cooperation with the States of Kansas and Oklahoma. While progress on the study of the disease has been made, much still remains to be done. More information is needed on the ways the disease may be spread, while improved methods of diagnosis are needed. While all immunization tests with noninfectious vaccines have given negative results, this field of investigation should be developed further as it holds out a practical means of controlling the disease if the proper vaccine can be developed. Miscellaneous diseases.-This includes studies on the etiology, diagnosis and control of anthrax. swine erysipelas, blackleg, glanders, foot rot, hemorrhagic septicemia, and alkali disease and studies on other miscellaneous diseases and pathological conditions. Investigations on the efficacy of anthrax biologics under certain conditions have been undertaken during the year. Further work along this line is contemplated and such information is needed to evaluate the use of the available commercial anthrax biologics in the control of this disease under the various conditions found in the field. This disease continues to cause heavy losses in certain sections of the country and more information on the ways in which the anthrax organism operates in field outbreaks is needed to bring the disease under control. By means of single cell isolations, studies of the dissociation of the anthrax bacillus, which may have a distinct bearing on the manner in which the organism produces its disease effect, will be made. Swine erysipelas.-This disease has appeared in a number of the States in an acute form in the past few years and has caused a considerable loss. In many cases in the field there appears to be difficulty in differentiating the condition from hog colera. Research work in this division has resulted in the development of a laboratory and field test for the diagnosis of th's disease which has proved of considerable value in the field. Further work on the refinement of the test and methods of preparing more stable test fluids are needed. Diseases of poultry. This includes studies on the etiology, diagnosis, control. and treatment of the various poultry diseases, viz, pullorum disease, tuberculosis, leukosis, range paralysis, laryngotracheitis (infectious bronchitis), fow! cholera, and a study of the disease in relation to nutrition and breeding. The condition known as "range paralysis" is becoming increasingly prevalent and as to the cause and consequent remedy, definite information is lacking. Likewise numerous gaps exist in our knowledge of other poultry diseases. Stock poisoning by plants.-Because of economic conditions the Bureau's poisonous-plant station in Utah was not opened during the past summer. Otherwise the study of these plants and their effects on animals was continued. One trip in May and June was made into the Southwest and data secured relative to the distribution of several poisonous plants and their relation to livestock losses. The effects on domestic animals of several eastern plants that have been suspected of having poisonous qualities were experimentally studied. Previously obtained data and new information were made ready for publication. As an essential part of the work, the investigations of the toxic principle of several plant species and of their chemical natures were vigorously carried on. Among the plants studied were species of larkspur, bitterweed, rubberweed, and several species of lupine, all of them being plants that cause serious losses of livestock. In cooperation with the Texas Experiment Station the study of loco and other dangerous stock-poisoning plants of western Texas was continued. The causes of some serious losses, aside from those due to loco and bitterweed were determined. There are many problems of economic importance which should be given detailed study at the earliest opportunity. Several of these are particularly related to the use of Government-owned ranges that are of fundamental importance to the livestock industry. The following problems may be cited: (1) Large sums have been spent in the grubbing of various species of larkspur on Federal lands. There are reasons to believe that different species of larkspur vary widely in their poisonous qualities and that some may not be a source of danger. For guidance in grubbing operations, as well as in the management of the ranges, further knowledge of the toxicity of various larkspurs is highly important. (2) Some species of lupines poison sheep, some poison cattle, while certain kinds are suspected but not positively known to cause serious trouble under some conditions. These species should be given careful study. (3) A few species of Senecio and of Actinea are known to cause very serious losses. Certain other species, which are suspected of being sources of danger are rapidly invading the ranges and increasing greatly in abundance. The poisonous or nonpoisonous character of these plants should be determined and if found poisonous means taken to check their increase and if possible to clear the ranges of them. (4) Heavy yearly losses of livestock apparently due to poisonous plants have been called to our attention within recent months. Several of these have occurred on fall, winter, and spring ranges in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and other States devoted in large part to the raising of livestock. The plants causing these losses should be determined and remedial measures worked out. (5) Bighead in sheep and related conditions occurring on various ranges are believed to be associated with the forage plants. The determining of this relationship should be made preliminary to the investigation into means of preventing the heavy losses. This should be of material benefit in the connection with the study of the winter ranges as now being carried on by other agencies in the Department of Agriculture. (6) Many plants poison animals because of the prussie or hydrocyanic acid they contain. A study has been made of several possible remedies for cyanide poisoning in large animals with promising results. Before definite conclusions can be drawn, their effectiveness under practical conditions must be determined. Whole blood-stained antigen test for pullorum disease.--The laboratories of this bureau have devised a simplified test for bacillary white diarrhea, the disease which is responsible for a heavy loss to farmers in egg production and a loss of 100,000,000 baby chicks a year. The test is so simple that anybody with a little training can make it. The reagent is a stained culture of killed bacteria of the disease. Immediately on mixing a drop of chicken blood with a drop of the reagent, purple clumps form if the bird has the disease. If the chicken is healthy, no change takes place. No microscope is necessary. The farmer likes the test. It costs much less than the older methods (about one half to one fifth). The birds require less handling with little or no loss in egg production. In spite of the depression the amount of testing has increased by several hundred percent in some of those States where this method has been used. It is estimated that more than 3,000.000 hens have been tested by this method during the past year. 35962-34- -11 EFFECT OF REDUCTION IN FUNDS FOR 1935 Mr. CANNON. Doctor, just what phase of this particular work which you have been discussing is affected by the retrenchments made by the Bureau of the Budget? Dr. MOHLER. I think in this particular item there is about $16,000 cut for this coming year. Mr. CANNON. That is not a sufficient cut to require you to reduce your personnel, is it? Dr. MOHLER. No; but when we lose any of the personnel, as we have in several instances, we do not replace them. Mr. CANNON. You are carrying this work along very satisfactorily at this time with your present personnel? Dr. MOHLER. Yes. Mr. CANNON. And we are not reducing your personnel? Dr. MOHLER. We have reduced some of our personnel, especially those connected with Bang's disease investigations at the experiment stations. We have been cut down to $65,980 from an appropriation of $86,600 for abortion. Mr. CANNON. Is that a reduction this year over last year? Dr. MOHLER. Yes, sir. Mr. CANNON. To what extent is this supplemented by C.W.A. funds? Dr. MOHLER. None at all. This is all investigational research work entirely. Mr. CANNON. And they supply nothing for that purpose? Dr. MOHLER. No, sir. Mr. CANNON. What reduction in your activities will this reduction in amount of money cause? Dr. MOHLER. We will have to reduce further the amount of money we are spending at some of these experiment stations. We have lost one scientist here in our Washington laboratory in October by retirement and another in September by resignation and we are not going to replace either one. We will have to make up about $21,000 by some such method, because this is the amount of the decrease in research funds, including the $5,000 decrease in animal-husbandry investigations. Mr. SANDLIN. You will have as much for 1935, though, as you had for 1934? Dr. MOHLER. In 1934 our appropriation was $375,000 and in 1935 we will have only $334,324. Mr. SANDLIN. I was referring especially to the investigation and control of contagious abortion of animals. You have the same amount for 1935 as you had for 1934, practically; that is, $67,386 as against $65,980. Dr. MOHLER. Yes, sir; but that is an estimate for 1934, of course. We do not know whether we will spend only $67,386. That is an estimate of expenditure. The reason for what you say is that 5 percent of salaries is restored for the 1935 appropriation. I think the working funds are diminished $5,000 for abortion. Mr. SANDLIN. Yes; it is $5,000 less in 1935 than in 1934. Dr. MOHLER. All of the work on this particular item is to be done with a decrease of $15,625. Mr. CANNON. You will lose for this particular work $5,000? Mr. CANNON. Of the $21,000? Dr. MOHLER. Yes, sir. Mr. CANNON. The remaining $16,000 is accounted for in what way? Dr. MOHLER. Ten thousand dollars of it will come from the researches on diseases like anthrax, shipping fever, and cattle and swine parasites, and $5,000 of it from the Animal Husbandry Division research. Mr. CANNON. For instance, the round worm? Dr. MOHLER. Yes; the round worm, the lung worm, the kidney worm, and the ox warble. They are all specified on page 70 of our justification. Then, there is a little reduction in hog cholera investigation of $1,000, making the total of $21,000. They are all investigational projects. INVESTIGATION, ERADICATION, AND CONTROL OF HOG CHOLERA Mr. SANDLIN. The next item is eradicating hog cholera, the item being as follows: Eradicating hog cholera: For investigating the disease of hog cholera and related swine diseases, and for their control or eradication by such means as may be necessary, including demonstrations, the formation of organizations, and other methods, either independently or in cooperation with farmers' associations, State or county authorities, $340,515: Provided, That of said sum $198,263 shall be available for expenditure in carrying out the provisions of the act approved March 4, 1913 (U.S.C., title 21, secs. 151-158), regulating the preparation, sale, barter, exchange, or shipment of any virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product manufactured in the United States and the importation of such products intended for use in the treatment of domestic animals: Provided further, That of said sum $25,520 shall be available for researches concerning the cause, modes of spread, and methods of treatment and prevention of these diseases. Dr. MOHLER. The following is presented under this item: Decrease, Budget 1935, compared with estimated obligations, 16, 883 The reduction of $79,485 in the 1935 estimate of $340,515 below the appropriation of $420,000 for 1934 consists of: Impoundment of 6% percent of 15 percent pay cut.. Curtailment in 1934 working funds.. -$24, 433 -38, 169 |