The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-11
FARM. FIELD AND GARDEN.
oPPoRTuNE MATTERS RELATING TO
EVERY LAY LIFE ON THE FARM.

Investigations That Show There Arc Two
Distinct Diseases Popularity Called Hog
observation-disclosures Made with Lime
Upon tho Virus Of Hog Cholera.
The fact that this disease from small
beginning thirty years ago has extended
into every state Of the Union and that it
is not only highly contagious but almost
uniformly fatal when once seated, SEEM
ingly defying medicine, renders all infor-
nation on the subject highly interesting.
From the report OF the commissioner of
agriculture 1t il known that for num-
Der Of years the bureau of animal indus
try has conducted scientific investiga-
ton into the nature Of the more import
ant diseases of animals Since the
investigation began the ideas OF the
medical profession have been revolu-
tiOnized and new science has been
built up, and it is claimed that the work
done by this bureau has been equal in
scientific accuracy to that done in any
part of the world.
More attention has been paid to hog
cholera than to any other disease because
of the heavy annual losses it occasions.
These Investigations show that there are
two distinct diseases which are popularity
called hog cholera The germs Of the
diseases have been isolated and studied,
and it is now known under what condi-
tons they can exist and multiply outside
of the animal, and how they can be de-
stroyed in such situations. This is long
step in advance, and makes the knowl-
edge OF these maladies equal to that
which has been acquired with the best
studied diseases OF people. IL il admitted
that no medicine has been discovered
that will act as specific and cure the
plague, but the same is true Of the con-
tagious diseases of mankind. The value
Of the work lies in the methods of pre-
vention it suggests and makes possible,
rather than in any methods of treatment.
1t has been found that lime is a most
efficient disinfectant, and that by its use
in very limited quantities the contagion
may be destroyed in water, in organic
accumulations and in the soil. Other
methods Of prevention, including inocu-
lation and various proposed forms Of
treatment, have been tested without sat
isfactory results.
The experiments madc with lime upon
the virus of hog cholera have been very
satisfactory, and sufficiently positive to
warrant its use in place OF tho corrosive
sublimate formerly recommended. Lime
has many advantages over other disin.
fectants. 1t Is cheap, easily obtained
and prepared, and may he used with i'm.
punity, as it has no poisonous properties
Bacteria of hog cholera, free from any
organic or inorganic matter, arc de.
stroyed within one hour by lime water
diluted to 0ne-fourth of its original
strength. When existing in organic
matter larger per cent. OF lime is re-
quired. In practical applications it will
he efficient on wood as q whitewash. In
infected pens the soil should be covered
with powdered or slaked lime in n thin
layer. The lime water will percolate
into the deeper layers Of the soil and de-
stroy any bacteria that may have pene-
trated into them from the surface.
From experiments on the vitality of
hog cholera virus in the soil it is safe to
say that n period Of six months is the
maximum and three the minimum time
that need be allowed for infected pens
and grounds to become safo for Occu-
pancy when no disinfection is practiced.
Lime as whitewash on woodwork, or
scattered over the soil at stated times,
used, in short, wherever there il any sls-
piciOn Of virus, may reduce the time
0uhhhS "hACh tio ShOhiiu SAfOuiu hCL48Au
unoccupied to two weeks.
From the results of the experience
gathered at the experiment stations dur
ing the past three yearS il has been
Q) that healthy pigs can be kept free
from infection, even on n farm where
such disease is constantly kept up for
purposes of Investigations, provided they
arc kept in clean pens and there is no
transmission Of virus from the sick to
the well through implements, or through
the carelessness Of farm hands carrying
it in their clothing, shoes or otherwise;
(2) that the disease may be carried to
previously unaffected locality by pigs
brought from unknown sources; (3) that
the disease, supposed to be extinct, may
lurk in a chronic form in some animal
without being recognized, and may be
thus transmitted to fresh animals, usu-
ally in spring and fall, when least ex-
pected; (4) that the safest way of raising
swine is to breed them ON n place that is
itself known to be absolutely exempt,
and maintain strict quarantine against
neighboring herds, and make no addi-
tons unless the source bc positively
known to have been free from disease
for mt least one year past