Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-11
FARM AND GARDEs.
HOG CHOLERA.

This fatal disease Is now prevailing to
an alarming extent, not only in this, but
in various other sections of the country.
The prevalence of fatal epidemics and
contagious among all farm animals being
on the increase, motives of humanity, as
well IS self-interest, should influence US
70 do all in our power to stay their pro-
gress, and thus lessen the annual losses
produced by these causes, which now
amount to millions Of dollars
Having les. heavily by ''hog cholera"
propose to give my experience, hoping
1t may be Of some advantage, especially
10 the young farmers of the country.
SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, ITO.
Hog cholera is contagious disease,
attended with fever, catarrhal symptoms,
and most generally peculiar rash which
makes its appearance in from two to four
days after the commencement of the at
tack
The attack begins with loss of sppe-
tite, partial or complete dizziness, chilli
ness, thirst, difficult respiration, hard,
dry cough, irritation of the mucous men,
branes of the eyes, nostrils, ETC., bowels
sometimes constipsted, but more general
" there g present stubborn disrrhea or
dysentery. The rash first appears in small
red or purple spots on theears and throat,
and gradually spreads ever the entire
skin, soon losing its isolated character,
the whole surface assuming purple or
violet hue. In majority of cases, when
the eruption appears the symptoms be-
come more aggravated; rapid emscistion
enBues, the 6iarrhea becomes more profuse,
the discharges being of frothy, greenish,
or claJ-colored matter, the eyes hsggsrd,
mouth open; the animal is iudisposed TO
move; lies down most of the time, or
stands with his body drawn up, shivering,
Of if compelled to move, does so with
plGintive cries and staggering gait. The
pectoral symptoms become aggravated,
showing signs of extensive bronchitis or
pneumonia; paralysis of the limbs some
times occurs, showing the presence of
congestion, or Inflammation of the brain
or spinal marrow.
In these virulent cases, the disease
nearly always proves fatal; or, if the an
imsl does not die, the recovery is tedious,
and 8 state of marssmus ensues, from
which it costs more to rescue the hog
than it is worth. In many cases the
symptoms above enumerated are not all
present or if present, are of milder
form, and in this class of cases we may
hope TO accomplish some good by the use
of proper remedies.
La nearly all cases there are more or
less congestion of the internal organs,
and especially of the mucous membranes
of the intestines, bronchia, eic., and
death results in nine-tenths of the fatal
cases, from inflsmmstory DISCRIMINATION,
either of the bowels, lungs or brain, or of
al these organs.
TREATMENT.
The disease being decidedly cO1td
0iOtEs, as soon as AL animal is attacked
he should be separated from the Others,
and Immediately cared for.
The great danger in this disease being
from inflammation in the different organs,
more benefit is to be derived from proper
hygienic rules, than from active medica-
ton. If the weather is inclement, shell
ter with cool beds, frequently changed,
is indispensable TO successful treatment.
If possible, give the herd the range of q
woods lot, where they will have access at
all times to good water.
The diet should consist of warm, greasy
Ilops, TO which may be added small guam
titles of salt, bi-csrbonste soda and sui
phate iron (copperas,) or instead OF the
soda and iron, use soap, sulphur and
charcoal
Small quantities of cooked vegetables
and scraps of meat, are eaten with relish
when nothing else is, and will be found
advantageous. After the attack begins,
the remedies from which / have witnessed
the most benefit are creoRote, or carbnlc
acid, and sulphste copper (bluestone,)
given as follows:
Take creosO' e, 8 to 10 drops; sulphate
copper, 8 to 10 grains. Dissolve in water
and drench through horn, or the spout
of coal oil eau, inserted to the base OF
the tongue, or if the animal will eat give
1t in slop twice, daily.
If the cough is severe aud the fever
high, the following sedative may be
given:
Powdered digitslis, two grains; sui.
spirits nitre, one drshm; chlors:e potash,
ten grains u one scruple; or if more con-
venient use nitrate potash (saltpetre) and
acetate of ammonia nitrate potash, one
Scruple; acetate of ammonia, one drahm;
dissolve in water or slop and give twice
daily.
Counter irritation may be used in the
form of blister to the chest, or frictions
with spirits turpentine over the chest,
dorsal and lumbar regions.
If large number are affected at once,
the above course in many cases would be
imprscticsble, when the following plan IS
best: CsrbJlic acid l ounce; sulphate
copper 6 ouuces. Nix with slop and
give TO twenty or twenty five hogs once
daily.
If the ca bOlic acid is not at hand, use
blueston slOGe. An intelligent farmer
$1,000 ma q fau iaHs ninna that hs