The Brookhaven leader., 1889-08-15
DISEASES OF SWINE.

The Special Commission Appointed to
Investigate Epidemic Diseases OF
Swine Makes Its Report "swine
Plague" and ''Hog Cholera" Caused by
Different lcro-Organisms-In
Not Recommended n Specific REM
edy.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.-In December,
1888, Commissioner Of Agriculture COL
man appointed a special commission for
the investigation Of epidemic, or rather
epIzootic, diseases OF swine. The COM
mission has just completed its report to
Secretary Rusk. After reciting the plan
Of investigation pursued by the commis-
sion they presented as the sum OF their
labors the following conclusions:
1t is the opinion OF the commission that there
arc at least two widespread epidemic diseases
OF hogs in this country which are caused by
different micro-organisms, but which have a
clinical history and pathological lessons moro
or less similar and very difficult to distinguish
without the aid OF the microscope and resort to
meteorological methods. One OF these epidemic
diseases. viz. that called by the Bureau OF
Animal Industry Swine plague" appears TO be
far less prevalent than the other, which has
been named ''hog cholera" The commission
are further OF the opinion that "hog cholera is
caused by the specific action OF a certain dis
tnct microbe named by them "the germ OF hog
scribed as present in swine diseases.
The commission are also OF the opinion, al
though TO less positive degree, that the cpl
demic disease called by the bureau authorities
Swine plague" has as its specific cause GER
tain microbe possessing characteristics which
distinguish it from the germ OF hog cholera
The discovery of the diseases and OF the mi
crobes to which they are due must be considered
original on the part Of the Bureau OF Animal
| Industry. at least as far as work in the United
| States is concerned. In the opinion Of the com
mission the epidemic disease of swine investi-
| gated by DIR. Billings and others IN Nebraska
| however seemingly Indifferent in the published
descriptions is identical in its clinical features,
pathological LESSONS and specific cause with this
| "hog cholera" and Furthermore that the patho-
! genie microbe. which is the specific cause OF
! this disease is identical IN both instances.
1t is the opinion Of the commission that the
| microDe which DIR. Detmers al present regards
a. the specific cause OF "hog cholera" is prob
ably the same microbe which is considered by
| the bureau authorities as the specific cause OF
hog cholera.
From their observation OF the methods of
meteorological research pursued by DIR. Bill
lngs in Nebraska. the commission are OF the
| opinion that It was difficult, il not impossible,
for that distinguished investigator, by his usual
method TO discover and isolate germ assocf-
ated with ''the hog cholera germ in the tissues
OF the body Of the pig; therefore the failure OF
|
called Swine plague germ" in the tissues of
the spleen (the organ from which he most in
variably made his culture) can not be regarded
as incontestable proof that the Swine plague
germ" had no existence in the ahdicted hogs
which have fallen under his observation, and
affords no evidence that this last-named disease
does not occur in Nebraska.
The commission regard their experiments
concerning immunity as conclusive and more
or less indefinite, yet it seems to be evident
that there is a certain degree OF protecton
against artificial acquisition OF hog cholera pos
sessed by the Nebraska pigs, which had been
inoculated and which had recovered from the
natural disease. the latter appearing to be
| slightly less protected than the former.
1t is a well-known fact brought to light by re-
cent investigations concerning the nature or in
fictitious diseases. that immunity or protection
from a second attack. whether artificial or nat
ural, is not absolute, but only relative IN de-
gree It is the opinion of the commission that
disnfection as q general practical means OF
preventing the enormous annual losses from
diseases of swine in this country can not be
made effective under the conditions which eX-
ist in the West and other regions where hog
raising is extensive.
AS far as our present knowledge extends,
treatment of existing cases is futile. There
remain, therefore, to be considered but two
| alternative means of prevention, quarantine
and cxterminatiOn OF infected hogs with their
| surroundings or on the Other nhnu soLhe ioTu
| of preventive incubation.
| Some Of the tests made in Nebraska under
the direction OF DR.. Billings certainly give
| promise OF great possibilities in this direction.
II is the opinion of the commission, however.
| that an attempt to produce immunity from
| 'hog cholera artificially by the use of living
| germs of the disease, either through the stom-
ach or through hypodermic inoculation, Is very
| Objectionable and involves serious risk OF
more widely extending the disease and in
| creasing rather than diminishing the enormous
! losses therefrom.
| For every hog thus treated becomes for
| time at least a center of infection from which
an epidemic may directly or indirectly spread
| widely.
Furthermore the use OF the living germ
| seems. at least in many instances, to perma-
nently stunt the growth of the pig.