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1939: Research Halts Epidemic
Devastating epidemics of equine encephalomyelitis (“sleeping sickness”)
first appeared in Saskatchewan in 1935, reoccurring in 1937 and 1938; it was
estimated that between 13,000-15,000 horses had been lost in 1938 alone. Dr. J.S. Fulton, head of the University’s
Animal Diseases Laboratory since 1930, “was the first to develop vaccines to
combat both human and equine encephalomyelitis.”1 The University began production of a
vaccine in 1939, sold to Saskatchewan farmers for seventy-five cents–a
considerable saving, as commercial production companies in the United States
sold the same product for $1.80.
“Before the season was over 164,846 doses of the University product had
been used,”2 bringing incidence of the disease “practically to a
standstill in the province.”3
“Dr. Fulton also demonstrated that a human disease, previously
diagnosed as non-paralytic poliomyelitis...was caused by the same virus,” and
produced a vaccine for humans. Fulton’s
work on this and other human and animal disease prevention brought
“international recognition” to the University’s Animal Disease Laboratory,
“saved many lives and averted much suffering, and by reducing the incidence of
animal diseases has saved Canadian farmers and stockmen many thousands of
dollars annually.”4
| Related Collections |  |
Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) fonds, RG 2098.
| Images | |
1939a: J.S. Fulton. Photograph Collection, A-3253
1939b,c: Animal and Poultry Science fonds, RG 2028, accession 1997-42.
| Sources | |
1. King, p. 105.
2. Annual Report, 1938-1939, p.58
3. King, p. 106.
4. King, p. 106.
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