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The cause of the disease is a vegetable parasite related to the bacteria Actinomyces bovis, which grows on various grains and grasses, but notably on the heads of barley. With the peculiarly constructed awns of this plant, which work their way into the tissues of the animal, sometimes through previously existing wounds, this parasite gains a foothold and, by further development as a true parasite, produces the tumors characteristic of the disease.

Animals affected with lump jaw should be put under the care of a veterinarian. As far as the use of the meat from affected animals, with local forms of the disease, is concerned, although it cannot be said that any great danger attends its use as food, the practice is attended with the same objections as is the use of meat from animals. suffering from any other disease, and should therefore not be encouraged.

When the disease is limited in extent, and strictly local, the carcasses of affected animals are considered fit for human food, provided no emaciation exists and provided that the affected parts (the entire head, when the jaw is the seat of the disease) be removed under the direction of a competent meat inspector.

Requests are sometimes received from local boards of health to examine animals that are reported to be affected with actinomycosis. Whenever possible, these requests are complied with, but in most cases the parties making the requests are advised to obtain the services of local veterinarians, the time of the Veterinarian of the Board being fully occupied with matters pertaining to the more dangerous, infectious and contagious diseases.

COITAL EXANTHEMA

(Venerial Disease)

In Horses.

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ties in which the disease was located and investigated by the Board, circle indicating counties from which the disease has been reported as having existed, by local veterinarians.

Coital exanthema was reported from five counties. In only two counties did it become necessary for the Board to make investigations and take measures for preventing the spread of the disease. Six animals (one stallion and five mares), located on as many farms, were found affected.

Compared with the year before, when over fifty horses in one county were affected, this is a very favorable showing, and is no doubt

due to the fact that the function of the Board, in relation to outbreaks of infectious diseases among animals, is becoming more generally known and appreciated. Outbreaks of disease are being reported more promptly, thus enabling the Board to do the most effective work by enforcing preventive measures before the disease gets beyond control.

As stated in the last annual report, the appearance of coital exanthema in this state is of special interest from the fact that another disease similar in its first symptoms, but far more dangerous, and which may easily be mistaken for the disease under discussion, has spread among the breeding horses of some of our Western states, and has, in fact, been reported in one state bordering on Ohio. The disease referred to is Maladie du coit (Fr.) also called equine syphilis, although it has nothing in common with human syphilis. It is a disease, however, that should be equally dreaded. Nothing but strict sanitary police regulations, and laws under which they can be made, will prevent the ultimate introduction of this disease into Ohio. The expense necessary to enforce such regulations need not be excessive.

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by the Board during the past year.

Cases of Glanders reported and disposed of by local veterinarians.

Showing where horses are in quarantine or under observation on suspicion of having glanders.

As in past years, investigations of reported outbreaks of glanders (or farcy) in horses and mules have occupied more of the time of the Veterinarian and funds of the Board than any other discase. During the year ninety-nine horses and mules have been examined for glanders, as compared with eighty-one for the preceding year. With a few exceptions all of these animals were tested with mallein which was furnished the Board by the Bureau of Animal Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture. In one case only was an animal. condemned without a mallein test.

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The appraised value of twenty-one of these horses, which were destroyed by order of the Board, was seventeen hundred and twenty-five dollars ($1,725). Of the remaining eight, two are still in quarantine, having as yet not been destroyed, and the other six, having had glanders in an advanced stage, rendering the animals incapable of further service to the owners, no appraisals are given for these.

The disease was distributed over the following counties: Columbiana, Trumbull, Fulton, Brown and Adams. Brown and Adams counties furnished all but three of the thirty cases that came under the observation of the Board. The following map shows the distribution of the disease in the latter two counties as well as indicating the points where animals were held in quarantine during the year, under suspicion of having glanders.

In the case of Brown and Adams counties it was clearly shown that the disease was introduced with a shipment of Western horses that were

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