St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
swine investigated by Drs Billings and

swine investigated by Drs Billings and
others, in Nebraska, however seemingly
different in the published descriptions, is
identical in its clinical features, patho-
thermore. that the pathogenic mi
crohe which is the specific cause Of this
disease is identical in both instances. IL is
the opinion Of the commission that the mi
crobe which DR.. Detmers at present regards
as the specific cause of 'hog cholera is
probably the same microbe which is consid-
cred by the bureau authorities as the specific
cause of hog cholera. From their obserya-
ton of the methods Of psychological re-
search pursued by DR.. Billings in Nebraska,
the commission are of the opinion that
it was difficult, if not impossible,
for that distinguished investigator, by
his usual methods. to discover and
isolate a germ associated with 1.-The hog
cholera germ" in the tissue of the body OF
the pig therefore the failure of DR.. Billings
in his researches to find the so-called Swine
plague germ i'll the tissues OF the spleen
ably made his cultures) cannot be
regarded as incontestable proof that the
swine plague" germ had no existence in the
afflicted hogs which have fallen under his
observation, and affords no evidence that
TINS last named disease does not occur IN
Nebraska. The commission regards Its eX-
perlments concerning immunity as inconclu-
sive and
MORE OR LESS INDEFINITE.
yet it seems to be evident that there is a GER
tain degree of protection against artificial &C
QUESTION of hog cholera possessed by the Ne
braska pigs which had been inoeulated and
which had recovered from the natural dis
ease, the latter appearing to be slightly less
projected than the former. 1t is a we'll known
fact brought to light by recent investigations
concerning the nature of infectious diseases,
that immunity or protection from
a second attack, whether artificial or
natural. is not absolute, but only
relative in degree. 1t is the opinion OF the
commission that dislnfectiOn as general
practical means of preventing the enormous
annual losses frou diseases of swine in this
country cannot be made effective under the
conditions which exist 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 con-
sidered but two alternative means or
prevention, quarantine and determination
of infected hogs with thel1 surroundings, or,
on the other hand, some form of preventive
incubation. Some of the tests in Nebraska,
under the direction of DR.. Billings, certainly
rection. 1t is the opinion of the commission.
however, that an attempt to produce i'm
munity from hog cholera artificially by living
germs of the disease. either through
the stomach or through hypodermic in
oculation, is very Objectionable and in
wolves serious risk of more widely extend
ing the disease and increasing 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 permanently stunt the growth Of the pig.