Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-09-24
Cure and Prevention Of Hog
Cholera.


Our well-known countyman, DIR.
w. w. Brown, who is Regent of the
West Virginia University for this SEN
-atorial District, has taken great pains
to secure for our people all the infor-
nation available to him in that capac-
ity upon the subject of the cure and
prevention of hog cholera, and fur
nishes US for publication the follow
ing in regard to this destructive dis
ease, which is now rayaging in our
county:
Any one who has ever examined an animal
that has died of this disease will understand
that medicines can be of little benefit. The
disease especially in the intestines and lungs
and are usually SO great that no one with any
knowledge of the subject will be surprised that
| no drug can cure in every case. AS in typhoid
fever, and other diseases In man. all that
should be attempted is to assist the natural
forces of the animal in overcoming the disease
Any drug administered for any other purpose
than this can do no good and may do HARM
The administration of all sorts of drugs recon-
mended is enough of itself to kill the animal
in many cases, and the practice cannot be too
severely condemned. Some cases where the
animal is particularly vigorous. where the
/
selves, and It Is probable that remedies which
have gained popularity EaYo done 20 by h0V-
Ing been tried upon sueh cases. where the re-
coTery would take place without any treat
ment. There are 80 few cases of recovery in
some outbreaks. and the difficulties of treat
ment are so great that it is not advisable to try
| any remedy at all.
Although the treatment OF separate cases Is
| Valnelcss, or even injurious. as we have said,
much may be accomplished in preventing the
spread OF the disease In neighborhood. or
even on single farm. As pointed out by Sal
mon in his last report, the source of infections
are as follows:
pigs purchased from infected herds. or
coming in contact with those from infected
farms, or running over grounds occupied by
diseased swine within two or three months.
| Infected streams may communicate the dis
ease to herds below the source of infection.
| Virus may be carried in feed, Implements,
and on the feet and clothing of persons from
infected herds and premises.
| winds, insects. birds particularly buzzards)
and various animals may transport hog cholera
| virus"
Our efforts at preventing the spread of the
disease may be intelligently directed If we care
| fully bear in mind the above sources of infec-
ton. AS will be seen, the disease does not
break ont spontaneously. The germs must be
| FIRST brought from some infected herd. 1t fol-
lows that exclusive dict of corn, the eating of
spoiled cotton seed meal. filth the presence of
worms in the intestnes, kidneys, or elsewhere,
cannot in themselves be the cause of the dis
| ease.
| As the germs must be brought from an in
fected herd, 1t is evident that, II proper pre-
cautions are taken, the spread of the disease
| can be prevented. Tho first source of infec-
| ton pointed out by Salmon is the most inn
portant, and it follows that all communication
| between sick animals on the one hand and
healthy animals on the other, should be strictly
avoided, and the practice so common in this
State and elsewhere of allowing hogs to run at
large. makes II impossible to successfully COM
bat the extension of the disease. As long as
this custom prevails. no measures can be suc-
cessfully employed to keep the disease from
spreading all over the neighborhood from the
| point of the first outbreak.
AS regards the second source OF infection
| pointed out by Salmon, the latter found that
| the germs of the disease may live, or even null
\ tiply, in water. hence, it follows that hogs
should not be allowed to drink from streams
Which have been polluted above by tdiscased
animals.
In view of the third source of infection, it is
apparent that no one should be allowed to visit
healthy herd If he has previously been with
diseased animals. No implements used about
| infected pens and no food from farm where
there are infected animals should be brought
where there are healthy animals.
| In regard to the transportation of the germs
| through the air, Salmod's own observations go
to show that it very seldom. If ever, takes place;
semnation of the disease by birds. (buzzards
and the like) insects. etc, the dead hogs should
be promptly burned or buried deeply.
What we have said above applies to the pro.
vention of the spread of the disease in neigh
borhOod, but similar rules apply equally well
to the spread of the disease in herds In addi-
ton, the following rules,s auggested by DR.. Sal
mon. may also be recommended:
"Removal of still healthy animals to enclosed
untnfected ground or pen, as far as possible
from infected localities.
destruction of all diseased animals.
Careful burial or burning of carcasses.''
repeated thorough disinfection of the in
fected premises.
Great cleanliness, both as to surroundings,
and as regards the food, to prevent its becom-
ing infected"
1t is very important that tho separation take
place as indicated. for IL the sick hogs are re-
| moved, the healthy animals are liable to be-
come injected from the pens. When the heal
thy hogs are removed, they should be divided
up into small lots, as in this way the chances
of saving portion of the herd are much great
er than where they are all kept together.
When the outbreak is severe, the animals
should be killed as soon as they show the first
/ symptoms of the disease.
1t is very difficult to efectuaIly disinfect con-
taminated premises. 1t is almost impossible
to get at all the cracks and creVices in the
fences or troughs, or elsewhere in the PEN
The soil and litter are very hard to disinfcct,
even If they can be conveniently reached. If
any of the &c rms remain lodged in any part of
the'pen of course they may start outbreak
| from Afresh. There is q long list of sub
| stances which have been found useful as ger
micides OF disinfcctants, but probably the most
practicable diPiufeetant 10 Quicklime either in
piled as thoroughly as possible to every part OF
the pen. 1t would be we'll to thoroughly sweep
the ground of the pen and burn all trash and
| rubbish swept Off and the ground should then
be covered abundantly with powdered quick
lime. All the woodwork of the pen might be
first washed over with corrosive sublimate So
luton. and then thoroughly washed with fresh
ly slaked lime. The corrosive sublmate soIu-
ton need not be stronger than dram to
one gallon of water.