Institute of Tropical Veterinary Medicine, number 4

Abstract

Texas became a crossroad for the international movement of many species of livestock. Thirty-three ports of entry into Texas developed. These ports and inland cities became terminals for international activities, the transiting of humans, animals, and plants and refuse disposal. Any of these had potential to harbor foreign animal disease microorganisms or vectors. Since Texas has been a major portal to animal disease entry and with the new threat of bioterrorism, it became more significant than ever that Dr. Maurer founded the Institute of Tropical Veterinary Medicine in 1968. The objective of the institute was to advance the state and national welfare by contributing to the further development of the world's food supply through improved animal health and productivity by means of research and training in animal diseases peculiar to the tropics. Grants, gifts, and bequests funded its work.