Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-10
TREATMENT OF HOG CHOLERA.

In my last article the question Of raising
pork not only for home consumption but
Tor market. was discussed. and IL Is now
proper that some OF the more important
diseases which are at times contagious
among swine should be discussed and
remedies advised. The annual losses
from hog cholera throughout the differ
ent states In the Union are unquestion-
ably quite heavy. although there IS an
other disease equally as contagious and
fatal known as Swine plague" which Is
often thought 10 be cholera by farmers
Who are not wen posted on the two dis
eases The two diseases are quite similar
beth IN symptoms and effect. so much so
that ID often requires a microsc0pical ex-
animation OF the internal organs OF the
dead animal 70 distinguish the difference.
There are. however. specifies against both
diseases, and IL proper methods are pur-
sued the producer can safely guard against
the evils OF both Both diseases are
caused b. certain bacteria. ard these bac-
terra must be combatted By measures
which VIII prevent exposure Of the AMI
mails to them. or so managed as 70 de-
str0y the bacteria after they have been M
troduced on the premises. and the sick
animals must be so treated as 70 check
the fever, Kill the germs and assist the
affected organs 50 that they viii regain
their normal strength It makes no great
difference. then. In distinguishing between
the two diseases 50 long as we adopt
prompE mszsure for controlling them
The important thing TO know is TO be
able 20 tell when either one or the other OF
these two diseases are present in the herd.
because such knowledge VIII lend at once
% the adoption OF measures applicable to
the treatment OF both diseases When
ever II Is known that one or the other Of
these diseases are present the owner OF
the afflicted herd Is safe in adopting the
treatment recommended in this article
for either cholera or swine plague. be-
cause the agents which viii destroy one
Of these diseases win also destroy the
other. There may be other infectious dis
eases which attack hogs. but they have
never been introduced into this country,
and we have not as yet found it neces-
eary TO either become familiar with IL or
70 adopt preventive measures against
them
Chief Characteristics.
Swine plague and hog cholera are both
quite fatal and affect hogs in all parts
OF the United States causing losses which
annually reach from ten to twenty-five
million dollars. This heavy loss is prOba-
bly, about equally divided between the two
diseases. Hog cholera Is particularly IA
tai % young pigs. while the older hogs
having greater powers of resistance. with
stand the disease with less fatal results
The first symptoms Of the disease are
shown by signs OF fever. unwillingness
70 move loss Of appetite and rise Of tenn
perature which may run as high as 10e
degrees to 107 degrees Farenheit The
antmals viii appear dull and stupid. with
= tendency 70 hide and cover up In the
leaves or straw which compose their bed
ding. At first the bowels may appear
constipated. but there is soon developed q
ing. The secretions about the eyes thick
en- and gums the lids together The breath
ing OF the animal IL rapid and toward the
end Is labored. There Is usually a hard
dry cough. The color OF the skin varies
from a pinlxish red TO a dark red or purple
The animal loses flesh. becomes weak
stands with the back arched and stomach
drawn UP. and walks with a tottering,
uncertain gait The symptoms Of swine
plague are but little different from those
OF hog cholera The course OF both dis
eases vary from one 10 two days. or may
extend for two OF three weeks. The germs
Of hog cholera collect or grow in clumps
along the line OF the blood vessels. which
causes a frequent rupture and escape Of
blood
evenly distributed along through the
blood vessels and hemorrhages do not Oc-
cur IN hog cholera there are alterations
q the large intestines ana collapse Of the
lung tissue.
IN swine plague there IS Inflammation
OF the lungs and congestion OF the mucous
membrane. Yet Notwithstanding these
distinctions of the two diseases in the
different parts OF the animal attacked. II
IS nevertheless quite difficult for the aver
age observer 10 distinguish one from the
other.
Cause Of the Diseases.
These diseases may he made infectious
by exposing well hogs 10 a diseased ami
nal or BIZ feeding the internal organs o.
diseased carcasses 20 well animals Tbs
germs OF hog cholera usually find theil
way into the bodies Of swine principally
through infected food and water. or tn
air In swine plague the bacteria are tax
en- almost entirely from the air. Th'
germs are extremely hardy and win liv'
Tor three months IN the water Of ponds
and streams. in the soil. and in the straw
and litter which compose the beds for tn
hogs.
The germs can be transported from on