Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-21
III. e Cholera.

In q late number OF the National
Lioe Stock Journal, DR.. N. Ii.
Paaren, who is the consulting veter-
mary surgeon Of that paper, oCcupies
some four or five columns with an
essay upon the subject of hog cholera.
We are not at all disposed to dis
p; rage the labors of the writer, in
glvlnga learned and technical disser-
tation upon the causes Of this disease,
and giving at considerable length
his treatment; but we regret that he
did not seem to discover, in his in
vestigation of the causes of so-called
hog cholera, how to avoid the condi-
tons which make the disease posi-
BILE. That would illustrate most for.
chilly the truth of the old saw, can
ounce of preventative is worth a
pound of cure" A little further on
we shall state how, in our opinion,
to put a hog in so healthy condition
as to place it beyond the reach of
cholera (Which is really species of
typhus, and produced by substantial
ly the same causes which induce
typhus in human beings); but we
now desire to call attention to the
following, which we find in the Ken
tucky Live Stock Record. We copy
it because NJ. Roche's description of
the disease, and the remedies employ
ed, seems TO us much more easily
comprehended than DR.. Paaren's.-
We quote:
"After giving minute description
Of the Chardonneuse 7ypus, which
exactly corresponds with our hog
cholera, he gives various causes of
the disease. Bad sizes and pens in
which pigs are lodged, and noisomc
food which they contain in a majority
of cases, is the most prolific cause
Moldy, fermented and decomposed
grain, bran or fruit produces serious
ills. In addition to this, is the con-
slant lying on the dung heap, from
whence is cXhaled vast quantity Of
deleterious gas; also, where they re-
main too long on the muddy or arid
ground, or are too long exposed to
the rigor of the season. Such causes
impress a functional arrangement
that cannot fail of being d .ngerous
or fatal, and when hogs are permitted
to lay themselves down in an acid
and disgusting dung heap, the disease
is almost certain to be produced.
This description OF fever frequent
ly, like our hog cholera, prevails as
ali epizootic. The disease prevails
during the whole course of the year,
yet there are certain times in which
it RACES with greater lntensity-in
the course of the summer and the
commencement of the autumn. Like
our hog cholera, it is highly contag-
ious, and often attacks the male pigs,
and generally the most vigorous and
best looking, without any distinction
of aye, and with a force and fatality
absolutely astonishing. During the
principal ravages Of the epizootic, he
derived benefit from small quantities
of camphor and nitre, mixed with a
decoction of sorrel. To this some
have added, and with considerable
benefit, small quantity Of mercury.
The nasal membrane then secretes
more abundantly, the urine is clearer
and more frequent, and the evacua-
ton of the fecal matter is more easy
and copious. This mode Of treat
ment may be continued eight days.
If pig is evidently i'll, it should be
separated from its companions, and
even their abode should be changed,
and fumigation should be practiced
every third d. y.
GAS soon as 4 pig Is attacked with
this disease, he should be separated
from the others, placed in a warm
situation, some stimulating ointment
applied to the chest, and decoction
of sorrel administered. Fractions
of vinegar should be applied to the
dorsal and lumbar region, with aro-
matte fumigation about the belly
The drinks should be emollient, and
slightly imbued with nitrate and vim
egar. If the fever now appears to
be loslng ground, which may be AS
certained by the regularity of the
pulse, by the absence Of the plalntive
cries that were before heard, by a
respiration less laborious, by the alb
sence of commissions, and by the non
appearance of ulotches on the skin,
there is fair chance OF recovery
We may then be content to admins
ter, every second hour, the drinks
and the lavements already prescribed,
and TO give the patient his proper
allowance of white water, with ground
barley and rye. When, however, in
stead of these fortunate results, the
symptoms are redoubled in intensity,
it will be best to destroy the animal;
for it is rare that, after certain
period, there is much or any chance
of recovery. Bleeding, practiced at
the ear or tail, is seldom of much
avail, but occasionally produces con
siderable loss of vital power, and
augments the putrid diathesis."
In our opinion, hog cholera is a
form of typus, and arises from i'm
proper TODD, impure water, and being
kept in filthy sites and amid rotting
manure heaps. How often have we
(and you, reader) seen hogs standing
knee-deep in the filth Of the stye,
while such an overwhelming stencil
came from within it as to make the
visitor beat a hasty retreat, feeling
that he could no longer inhale such Il
poisoned atmosphere and live. How
often have we seen pigs half-burled
in decomposing and disgusting
dung heap, impelled to do SO solely
by desire to keep warm-thus de-
flying the law of cleanliness, which
is also the law Of health. We have
also seen swine conn elled to drink
from stagnant pool in one corner
of the barn ward. which consisted of