During the winter months there is free intercourse between the reservation and the east side of the river by means of the ice bridge, and the river counties are never without the disease. It has prevailed along the river in this county since the year 1883 to the personal knowledge of the writer, at which time there were bands of Indian horses kept on this side of the Missouri. Very respectfully, W. H. BURNS, President, SIOUX FALLS, S. DAK., August 15, 1899. State board of health of South Dakota in regular session assembled. Whereas reports have frequently reached this board of health from county boards of health adjacent to the Indian reservations in the State of South Dakota that some contagious disease, supposed to be glanders, has for some time afflicted the horses in that locality, and that it is claimed to have been communicated by the horses belonging to the said Indians, and the same being the cause of great financial loss to the people of that community, we, the board of health, do hereby request the Indian Bureau at Washington to investigate this matter at the expense of the Government. A. E. CLOUGH, Secretary. FREDERIC H. FILES, President. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., August 21, 1899. Hon. J. H. KYLE, Sioux Falls, S. Dak. MY DEAR SIR: I'lease find inclosed correspondence from the superintendent of Walworth County board of health, South Dakota. I also transmit to you a copy of the action of the State board of health in re the subject considered in these communications. The State board of health have no way to investigate or stamp out the disease of glanders in unorganized counties on the Sioux Reservation, neither are there any funds in the possession of the State board of health to prosecute this work. The information received by this board does not state specifically upon what Indian reservations the disease of glanders is prevalent. quite possible that it may infect roving herds of horses. It is It occurs to this board that this is a matter of importance to the General Government, and for this reason this communication is addressed to you with the expressed wish that you refer it to the proper Department at Washington, with your recommendation that the Government take such steps as it may deem necessary to investigate the question of the existence of glanders on the reservations west of the Missouri River. This board will cooperate with the Government in every way possible, and, should the Government request it, will undertake to furnish more definite information as to the localities affected with this disease. Very respectfully, yours, F. H. FILES, Superintendent State Board of Health. Proceedings of the county board of health for Walworth County, S. Dak. The board met as per call by the president on this 10th day of July, A. D. 1899. Present: W. H. Burns, president; Dr. H. R. Gunderman, superintendent, and Dr. A. Beil, vice-president. Dr. H. R. Gunderman stated to the board that it had been reported to him that a certain horse in the possession of John Morris, of Walworth County, then temporarily absent from the county, was affected with a disease resembling glanders. State veterinarian, Doctor Elliott, being called from Aberdeen, examined the horse on or about May 22, and found the animal free from glanders. Doctor Elliott also examined a horse belonging to Mr. Hilde, of Walworth County, the horse being likewise reported to be affected with glanders, and found the same also free from contagious disease. It was moved and seconded that the action of the superintendent be approved by the board. Dr. H. R. Gunderman reported further that on the 5th day of June, 1899, a horse was brought to Bangor, Walworth County, S. Dak., by Louis Larson, of said county and State. Suspicions existing that this horse was affected with glanders, the animal was kept under quarantine and examined under supervision of J. P. Foster, of Bangor, S. Dak., as to the existence of the disease, Mr. Foster making use of the mallein test, and Mr. Larson agreeing to accept Mr. Foster's opinion as final and to destroy the animal if found diseased as stated, holding the county blameless in the matter whatever the result might be. The horse was found affected with glanders and the animal was ordered to be killed and the carcass destroyed by fire. Upon motion the action of the superintendent in this matter was approved by the entire board. Dr. H. R. Gundermann reported further that on the 6th day of July, 1899, Louis Larson, of Walworth County, S. Dak., reported to him that he had lost during the last year six animals by disease, presumably glanders in every case; that he had now nine horses left, some of which he believed to be affected with the same disease in a latent form at present. Mr. Larson's signing an agreement to the same effect as before, the same test was applied, with the result that out of nine horses four were found to be affected as supposed, two were pronounced to be suspicious and subjects for a further examination later on, and three horses were found to be free from contagious disease. Upon motion the board approved the subsequent action of the superintendent to the effect of the destruction of the four animals diseased, the keeping under quarantine of the suspicious animals, and the consuming by fire of the stable of Louis Larson wherein the diseased animals had been kept, this stable being a public danger to animals as well as to human beings. It was further moved and carried that the State board of health of South Dakota be requested to take such action as would cause a careful inspection of the horses kept by Indians on the great Sioux Reservation as a protection to the owners of horses in the counties bordering on the said great Sioux Reservation and throughout the State of South Dakota against glanders and other infectious diseases of animals, the counties bordering on this reservation meeting with great losses on account of the prevalence of glanders and because in every case almost the starting point of this disease can be traced to horses coming from the reservation. Moved and seconded to have the meeting of the board published in both papers in the county. W. H. BURNS, President County Board of Health. Superintendent County Board of Health for Walworth County, S. Dak. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Hon. JAMES H. KYLE, Aberdeen, S. Dak. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, September 19, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of August 22, inclosing correspondence between members of the South Dakota board of health relative to glanders stock in the vicinity of Cheyenne River Reservation, and in reply will state that the matter is under investigation, and if the disease is found to exist proper action will be taken to stamp it out. Very respectfully, A. C. TONNER, Acting Commissioner. Hon. W. A. JONES, ABERDEEN, S. DAK., September 23, 1899. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SIR: Referring to my letter to you under date of August 22. 1899, allow me to say that I am in receipt of an inquiry from Dr. F. H. Files, asking what, if any, action you found it possible to take in relation to “glandered horses," alleged to be on the Cheyenne Indian Reservation. As yet I have no reply or acknowledgment of my communication; therefore am unable to advise the chairman State board of health. Did you find it possible to take action; if so, what was or will be done? Respectfully, JAMES H. KYLE. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Hon. J. H. KYLE, Aberdeen, S. Dak. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, September 30, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23d instant, relative to glandered horses alleged to be on the Cheyenne River Reservation, about which you made inquiry under date of August 22. In reply you are advised that as yet the honorable Secretary of the Interior has not received the report of Inspector Tinker, who was detailed to investigate the matter, but is expecting it every day. As soon as said report is received in this Office from the Department I will advise you of the proposed steps to be taken in the matter. Very respectfully, A. C. TONNER, Acting Commissioner. CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, S. DAK., The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. SIR: According to instructions contained in your communication of June 26, 1899, I have the honor to submit my report and recommendations relating to horses alleged to be suffering from glanders at the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River reservations, S. Dak., which I trust will prove satisfactory. I have also forwarded you this day under separate cover a box containing slides to be examined under a microscope which are supposed to show the glanderous bacilli. Very respectfully, ARTHUR M. TINKER, United States Indian Inspector. CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, S. DAK., September 30, 1899. The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. SIR: According to instructions contained in your communication of June 26, 1899, I have the honor to report the result of my investigation of horses at the Standing Rock Reservation and of those branded "R," owned by Mrs. Esther Rousseau, of the Cheyenne River Reservation, said to be suffering with glanders. The Rousseau home ranch is located about 45 miles from the Cheyenne River Agency, on the Cheyenne River. Most of the horses owned by Mrs. Esther Rousseau (branded "R") are wild range horses, much wilder than the average range stock. The alleged reason for their being so wild is that they have been rounded up, roped, and thrown by veterinary surgeons so often and so many of them and their leaders shot, many killed, and some wounded on the open prairie that upon the approach of a person they start at once to get out of the way. They roam in small bands, much smaller than they did before so many of them were killed, and are scattered over a very large section of country. As it would require some time to get them together. Mr. Rousseau came to the agency and requested that ample notice be given him to round them all up to enable me to inspect them and report on their condition. It was mutually agreed that after I had concluded my investigation and made my report of the affairs of this agency I should go first to the Standing Rock Reservation and ascertain if there were any horses there that were suffering from glanders. To give Mr. Rousseau the desired time to get the horses together, I was to notify him the day of my departure for Standing Rock, which I did, and he was to commence to round-up their horses at that time and hold them until I reached his ranch, so I could examine them. Upon my arrival at Standing Rock Agency I found William Mackin, veterinarian for the sixth veterinary district, North Dakota, who was there vaccinating cattle for "blackleg." He, being very desirous to know if glanders did exist among the horses of the reservation, administered the mallein test to several animals that showed unmistakable symptoms of glanders and one that appeared to be free from the disease to show the Indians present the effect the mallein test would have on a horse suffering from glanders and one free from the disease. Doctor Mackin fully understood that I had no authority to employ him and could not promise that the Department would pay him for the tests made, but I told him I would certify on honor that he had rendered the service his bill called for, which I did, and he must depend upon the liberality of the Department to pay his account. The commandant at Fort Yates, Captain Tutherly, First Cavalry, U. S. Army, also being very much interested, very kindly instructed Charles E. MacDonald, assistant surgeon, U. S. Army, to render what assistance possible. To him I am indebted for the slides which accompany this report; they show the glanderous bacilli when placed under a microscope; they were not made from cultures, but from the mucus obtained from the nostril of each animal given the mallein test. The bacilli malli reproduces rapidly on boiled potatoes in an incubator at a temperature of 36° C. and given a most typical growth. Eight cultures were developed, with no failure of any case. I was informed by several Indians while examining the horses at the Cannon Ball substation that Ormon Wells, a mixed blood, had taken a number of horses that were discharging mucus and blood from their nostrils and had farcy buds and were in the same condition as those that were being examined and had taken them either to the Crow Creek Agency, S. Dak., or to Oklahoma. Some of them died before they could be driven beyond the limits of the reservation. Below please find a copy of a notice sent to several parties by W. C. Langdon, chief State veterinarian of North Dakota. This copy was furnished me by William Mackin, veterinarian for the sixth veterinary district, North Dakota, which would indicate that there were horses owned near the Standing Rock Reservation that were suffering from glanders. OFFICE OF CHIEF STATE VETERINARIAN. Fargo, N. Dak., September 7, 1899. Messrs. H. B. SCHAFFNER, J. CRAMLEY, F. M. SMITH, E. HUGHES, J. MICKLER, KEOGH BROTHERS, J. HERNDON, G. WEAGIE, D. JOZLER, Broncho, N. Dak.; G. HENDERSON, Hazen, N. Dak.; KRANTZ & LEUTZ, Hebron, N. Dak.: Your horses and colts, running on their various ranges, are reported to this office as having been exposed to glanders. It will therefore be necessary to have them examined by the district State veterinarian of your district, and such other district State veterinarian or veterinarians as he may deem it necessary and expedient to call into consultation. In order that this examination may be properly conducted, it will be necessary to build suitable chutes and corrals where all such suspected horses and colts may be secured. You are hereby ordered to proceed at once, either jointly or separately, to erect said chutes and corrals. You are also ordered, as soon as said chutes and corrais are ready, to round-up your various herds and stocks of horses and colts in these corrals, serving due notice upon the district State veterinarian of the time when such round-up will be completed, that he may be in readiness to make the necessary examination. Until such examination is made, and as long thereafter as may be deemed requisite and necessary, all such herds and stocks of horses and colts must remain in a state of quarantine on these ranges situated (here given description of ranges-i. e., total boundaries), and until discharged from quarantine by the chief State veterinarian or by the district State veterinarian no animals in these herds or stocks of horses and colts must be sold or disposed of. W. C. LANGDON, Chief State Veterinarian. The two horses owned by William Whitesell (Frank and John) were given the mallein test at the agency (a record of their test see below), also a horse. owned by an Indian who resides near the farm school (no record was kept of the condition of this animal). The Indian horse was badly spotted with what appeared to be farcy buds, but they were all healed up; there was no discharge from them or from the nose; he showed no marked change of temperature after the mallein had been injected; the local swelling on the neck was not large, but his neck and shoulders were quite sore for twenty-four hours or more. Doctor Mackin examined his mallein after he had injected some into the Indian horse and found that that bottle was old, and after being shaken would remain cloudy for a time; he concluded this was a bad bottle, and used no more of it; the other mallein he had would remain clear after being shaken. Doctor Mackin was of the opinion that the Indian horse was suffering from chronic farcy. All the other tests were made at the substation, Cannon Ball district. By order of the agent, Mr. Wells, the farmer in charge had from 50 to 75 horses of all ages rounded up; most of them discharged considerable mucus from the nostrils; some were bleeding from the nose; others showed farcy buds; several had hard lumps under the jaws; a few appeared to be sound; a few of them were selected to apply the mallein test; the result of the tests made will be found below. Horse "Frank," owned by William Whitesell, residence about 15 miles from the Oak Creek substation and about 25 miles from the agency. The horse reached the agency between 2 and 3 p. m., September 8; was quite warm at time of arrival. Temperature at 4 p. m., September 8, 102; 10 p. m., time mallein was injected, 1003; September 9, temperature at 4 a. m., 101 ; at 6 a. m., 1013; at 8 a. m., 102; at 10 a. m., 1023; at 12 m., 103; at 2 p. m., 1033; at 5 p. m., 1043; at 7 p. m., 105; at 9 p. m., 1043. Local swelling on the neck where the mallein was injected was 10 inches in diameter; was accompanied with stiffness and soreness in front for two days. Temperature at 4 a. m., 101; at 8 a. m., 102; at 6 a. m., 1013; at 10 a. m..` 1023; at 12 m., 103; at 2 p. m., 1033; at 5 p. m., 1043; at 7 p. m., 105}; at 9 p. m., 1043. Local swelling on the neck where the mallein was injected was 10 inches in diameter; was accompanied with stiffness and soreness in front for two days. Horse owned by Walking Thunder. This horse put in corral September 10. Temperature at 3 p. m.. September 10, 102; at 2 p. m., September 11, 104; at 7 a. m.. time of injections, 1003; at 4 p. m.. 1033; at 11 a. m., 102; at 6.30 p. m., 104; at 10 p. m., 103; at 12 night, 1023; at 2 p. m., September 12, 1023. Local swelling appeared on neck at 11 a. m.. September 11; at 2 p. m. the swelling was 9 inches in diameter; swelling hard and painful. The animal moved with tenderness and stiffness. Horse owned by Moccasin Necklace. The horse was put in the corral September 10. Temperature at 3 p. m., September 10, 102; at 7 a. m., September 11, time of injection. 98; at 11 a. m., 1013; at 2 p. m., 1033; at 4 p. m., 104; at 6.30 p. m., 105; at 10 p. m., 1043; at 12 night. 104; at 2 p. m., September 12, 1024. Local swelling appeared on neck at 11 a. m., September 11; at 2 p. m. the swelling was 8 inches in diameter; it was hard and painful. The animal moved with tenderness and stiffness. Horse owned by Strong Heart. The horse was put in the corral September 10. Temperature at 3 p. m., September 10, 1013; at 7 a. m., September 11, time of injection, 98; at 11 a. m., 1033; at 2 p. m.. 1043; at 4 p. m.. 1043; at 10 p. m., 104; at 6.30 p. m., 104; at 12 night, 103}; at 2 p. m., September 12, 102. Local swelling appeared on neck at 11 a. m., September 11; at 2 p. m. the local swelling was 9 inches in diameter; swelling hard and painful. The animal moved with tenderness and stiffness. Horse owned by Mrs. Pantaloon. The horse was put in the corral September 10. Temperature at 3 p. m.. September 10, 100; at 7 a. m., September 11, time of injection, 100; at 11 a. m.. 101; at 2 p. m., 104; at 4 p. m., 1043; at 6.30 p. m., 1043; at 10 p. m., 104; at 12 night. September 12, 103; at 2 p. m., 102. Local swelling appeared on neck at 11 a. m., September 11; at 2 p. m. the local swelling was 9 inches in diameter; swelling was hard and painful; the animal moved with tenderness and stiffness. Mare owned by Turn Back. The mare was put in the corral September 10. Temperature at 3 p. m., September 10, 102; at 7 a. m., September 11, time of injection, 100; at 11 a. m., 103; at 2 p. m.. 104; at 4 p. m., 104; at 6.30 p. m., 104; at 10 p. m., 1043; at 12 night, 1033; at 2 p. m., September 12, 1023. Local swelling appeared on neck at 11 a. m., September 11; at 2 p. m. the local swelling was 10 inches in diameter; swelling hard and painful. The animal moved |