Evening star., 1898-10-26
CURE FOR HOG CHOLERA
The Dread Disease Can Now Be Successfully
Oombated.
Results of the Experiments Conduct.
Description by DIR. Salmon.

Some important experiments have been
carried on by the Department OF AgrI.
culture during the past two years which,
in their effect. are likely TO mark the be-
ginning Of a new era in American hog rails
Ing. The work has been under the dlreo-
tlon Of DR., D. e. Salmon chief OF the bu.
rcau Of animal industry. and consists In the
use Of a serum in treating hogs affected
With cholera or swine plague. The results
OF the experiments show concluevely that
these terrible diseases can be successfully
treated, easily and inexpersivefy.
There is a good profit to the western hog
raiser who can be assured of compa rative
freedom from. cholera. Where heavy yields
the expense OF harvesting saved by turu-
ing the hogs themselves into the ripe fields,
the proht Is larger than in almost any
other class OF farming; the risk lies III the
TACT that the farmer is pretty sure every
Few years. to lose nearly all his drove
through cholera ravages.
Enormous Losses of Late Years
The annual losses to he farmers OF the
United States from cholera amount up to
a great national debt In 1896 the losses
from this disease in Iowa alone according
to the statements of the state board OF
agriculture. were sl5.0o0.oo0. None of the
remedies heretofore suggested and tried
have been found effective in curing this
disease. The best suggestions have been
looking to good sanitary conditions cIean-
liness and keeping the animals systems
and digestion In a healthy state. to enable
them to better resist germ attacks. Now
however, the department comes forward
centage of affected animals
Efficacy of the Serum Treatment.
What have been the actual results Of
the bureaus experiments and what proper.
ton OF hogs can you save by this treat.
ment?" was asked of Dr. Salmon.
Briefly" he replied, ''the results have
been that about 50 per cent of the animals
treated In droves have been saved whereas
IN droves not treated which were affected
with cholera and swine plague.
Experiments have been carried on by
the department for two years in Page
county, Iowa Last year IA hogs were
treated. with the result that about 20 per
cent died; but in droves of hogs living up-
der exactly similar conditions. untreated,
about 20 per cent died. This year he
treatment has been much more extensive
and the experiments more far-reachinf
The bureau has injected 922 hogs: of these
1fo died, leaving a proportion saved of 81
cut Of every 100. or 10 per cent loss. These
animals comprised seventeen droyes and
of these six droves lost only one hog each
On the other hand, 1.107 hogs OF other
droves were observed. not subjected 70 the
serum treatment and of these $40 died a
loss of 79S hogs cut of every 100 Thero
is no question of the effectiveness OF this
treatment. Our operations have been
viewed with considerable skepticism, but
the farmers Of Iowa are no longer doubt.
ers. Serum treatment for cholera is no
more an experiment. II is a proven sucs
cess. and will undoubtedly save the farm.
ers millions Of dollars annually.
How Serum is Secured.
This treatment" continued DR.. Salmon,
should not be confounded with inocula-
ton, such as is practiced on cattle affected
with blackleg. Inoculation signifies the in.
PRODUCTION OF live germs. such as occur in
cases OF vaccination. The cholera serum ia
procured by keeping apart for treatment
an animal-a horse or a cow-and injecting
into Its blood a small amount of the blood
OF choiera-diseased hog. This will sickep
the subject, but he will recover when am
other dose will be administered, and so on
time after time. until finally his blood be.
comes so impregnated as TO render him
practically cholera proof. Then his blood
is let and the clot drawn of, leaving the
thin. yellowish portion, which is the Sc.
rum. This is used TO inject into the dis
eased hogs and operates to render them
likewise cholera proof. even cures them
OF the disease after II has developed II is,
Of course, the application of an old princi.
pie, but the secret of success lies in tha
proper preparation of the serum"