The Southern herald., 1886-01-23
DEAD HOGS.
The Best and Simplest Way Of DlspOslng
of Their Bodies.

The Best and Simplest Way Of DlspOsing
Of Their Bodies.
The question of greatest Importance
to swine raisers is how to stamp out
swine disease and keep them stamped
out. 1t is certain this can never be
done so long as it is permitted to dis
pose Of the carcasses in any other than
the most effectual way. Some sell to
those who purchase, as it is said, to be
made into soap-grease. I am reason
ably sure that in some cases the best
sf the carcasses are rendered out and
the produce sold as prime lard! Think
of that, city readers. No law can in
flict too great pecuniary punishment
upon the man who hauls around the
carcasses of hogs dead of infectious or
contagious disease, or who ships swine
knowing that they have such disease.
Both these things are frequent, and SO
long as they are permitted the spread
of swine diseases is to be expected.
There are two methods of disposal-by
burial or burning. The former is more
commonly employed, butto it are many
objections.
If hogs are admitted to the field
whore the carcasses are buried, though
it be three years afterward, they will
exhume the bodies. This / know, my
own hogs having done it. And while
eating the carcasses may not always,
or often, cause an outbreak of the dis
ease, it will sometimes do so, as have
found in one seasons bitter experience.
Another objection is that urged by the
advocates Of cremation against the in
terment of human bodies-the decay
ing matter may contaminate the drink
ing water of human beings or beasts.
When we consider that swine are bur-
led on the farm, in fields or lots not 50
far removed from the haunts OF beast:
and people as cemeteries usually are,
and that the carcasses are not put un
der the ground so deep as are the bod
les of human beings, we perceive thai
the objection applies with much great
er force to the burial of the bodies o.
hogs than of human beings. The of
fensive matter may find its way int
wells, creeks or ponds. Moreover TIN
gases engendered by the decomposi
ton of the bodies must escape into TIN
air and will escape for so long tim
that it is practically impossible t.
guard animals from it.
: If the bodies be burned, all germs G
disease are destroyed. The offensiv
t matters are dissipated and no hurt ca
come to any animals from eating tn
ashes. Nor will the ashes contaminat
!. the drinking water of man or beas
g being harmless in their nature. Hence
e two very serious objections to buryin
the bodies can not be made to apply
0 cremating them. The third objectio
e to burying applies to cremation als'
J., but does not amount to much. 1t
e true that offensive gases are given 0
n during the burning, but this lasts on
J, while the bodies are being consumed
), and during this time, and for tin
y afterward long enough to insure Il
d dissipation Of the gases, stock can
:, kept at safe distance. All in all, CT
It nation is much the more safe and c
e fectual mode of disposing of the ca
casses; and do not thinkitis themo
laborious. l find it requires no mo
time or exertion to burn carcass thf
to dig hole to hold it and replace Il
earth above it. The bodies burn upC
% very slight provocation; and if y'
!. have any consideration for your olfa
a tories Or for your health you will pr
a pare the bodies to burn and then reti
a to a safe distance. Y. Tribune.