Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-20


croximateIy I.7SSSS4 hogs in 1910. Wheth-
sr the number has increased or decreas-
ed since that date Is more or less prob
tematicaI and there Is nothing TO base
an accurate estimate on since the CEN
sus figures were published There has
been much interest evidenced in swine
husbandry. however. and unless cholera
has prevented an increase, il is reason
able to assume that the number OF an
finals now on the farms and ranges in
Georgia has grown during the last two
wears The total value OF all the swine
reported on April Is. 1910. was SS.4S.-
0.6W. This = q considerable sum. but
a. does not represent anything Ike as
much money as the farmers OF this
state should have invested I'm an indus
try Of such great economic Importance
why does the swine industry languish
or fail TO measure UP in the matter OF
production 10 the needs OF the state In
view OF the very excellent opportunities
for the growth OF hogs TO maturity at
an exceptionally low cost? One Of the
principal reasons Is due 20 the general
prevalence OF cholera, a disease which Is
peculiarly destructive TO hogs, and which
when IL finds entry into herd seldom
storz until Il has destroyed all the in
dividuaIx II a few OF the individuals
attacked survive. they are generally re-
duced In stamina and quality. and their
value as breeding animals is greatly les
sened. borrower. the grounds and build
ings have become infected so that the
new filters dropped are almost certain
70 be attacked by the disease II the
farmer attempts to rehabilitate his herd
by bringing in healthy animals from
other farms. the chances are they viii
succunb TO the disease. Hence. II Is
not surprising that those who have per-
sisted from year to year in an endeavor
20 breed hogs with the result that most
OF them are lost by an attack OF cholera
should not look upon the industry with
keen delight and regard Il as one OF
these lines OF activity In which they can
AFFORD to engage with the anticipation
OF large profits.
The situation with regard to the hog
business has thus become rather seri-
Gus. not only in Georgia but in other
southern states. and the time has arriv-
ed when some concerted effort must be
made TO control the further spread OF
hog cholera This may be done more
effectively and at lower cost than most
people seem 70 realize The treatment
Is comparatively simple. though great
care must be exercised In the use OF the
serum Cholera has proved so destruc-
tive that thousands OF dollars have been
expended by the federal and state gov
ernments in an attempt TO find a rem
edy for It, and the efforts in this direc-
ton have been rewarded by the discov-
cry OF a serum. which may be manufac-
tured and distributed TO farmers at
reasonable cost. considering its efficiency.
The process OF manufacture Is brief
" as follows: The hogs are immunied
BY the Injection into their flesh Of
blood from a hog affected with chDl-
era A dose OF protective serum Is
injected at the same time Ten days
later a large dose OF virulent blood IS
injected into the vein OF the ear. II
the hog remains healthy after this
treatment IL is considered hyper-im-
mune, and may be used for the pro-
duction OF the protective serum. This
serum Is made from the blood OF hogs
which have been hyper-immunizsd.
The animal is placed In a crate and
blood is drawn from the tail under
sntiseptic conditions. The blood is then
deribrinated and a preservative add
ad- Hogs may be bled at intervals or
a week. and the serum made from
each hog Is tested as 10 potency be-
fore IL is sent out OF caurse. ghe
production OF the serum can only ne
undertaken where special apparatus
and facilities are provided. and whore
experts trained in veterinary medicine
are available TO supervise the work
wrought in Georgia by cholera. the
state made a small appropriation last
year for the manufacture and distribu-
tion OF serum The manufacture OF
the serum was placed under the direc-
ton OF the State College OF AgricuI-
ture, in Athens. and it's distribution
In the hands Of the state veterinarian.
p F. Bahnsen. in Atlanta The law
requires that the serum shall be made
and distributed at cost. and although
the appropriation was made available
Immediately on the passage OF the act
the funds were not paid over to the
respective agencies until late in Jan
uary; hence IL was several months
after the appropriation became effect
tive before the work OF manufacture
could be instituted. A report OF prog
ress for tbe7iRformation OF the farmers
in Georgia rs. therefore. in order.
About $4,000 &C. of the serum have
been made and distributed up to date
The results from the use OF this Sc
rum are highly gratifying indeed. The
serum costs - cents per C. C.. which
IS less than the price OF commercial
serum, and that sent out by the state
has the advantge OF being tested be-
fore distributed so that the farmer
using IL under the proper sanitary
conditions and regulations may antic-
ipate satisfactory results In this con-
HeCuon II Is proper 10 say tndt the
serum Is not 20 be regarded as a cure
for hog cholera 1t Is a preventive of
the disease. however. and will protect
from 90 TO IS per cent OF the anima Is
tnnoculated II used az the right time
Seine hogs affected with cholera may
recover after the administration OF
serum but this Is likely TO be the ex-
ception rather than the rule At least
IS per cent Of the untreated hogs die.
50 the saving from the use Of serum
win be readily appreciated. 1t VIII
cost 20 innoculate a I00-pound hcg
about 50 cents. To treat ten hogs
would. therefore. cost IS. and twenty
hogs $40. a 100-pound hog is now
worth nearly SO. When the farmer
considers that an attack OF cholera
will probably destroy every animal he
has. or. under favorable conditions.
about rs out OF 20. the investment OF
SO TO protect his herd seems raCher
an Insignificant investment. when 800
- az stake. II q larger appropriation
was made available BY ire state. the
cost Of distributing the serum could
be lesseled. but a review Of the sta
tlstics obtained from other states
would indicate that without a rather