The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-12-04
icy e. T. Baker, D. v. NJ, Ass slant
State Veterinarian, Moscow, Ida.)

Sporadic outbreaks of diseases
among swine resembling cholera have
been prevalent in the northwest for a
number of years. but it is within the
last three years that hog cholera has
become a serious menace to the swine
Industry, and has attracted public at
tention In California, the state leg.
lslature of 1911 appropriated $4,000
for the establishment of a serum plant
which is located at the University OF
California. In the past year the Idaho
state legislature appropriated $4,000
for plane, which is located at the
University Of Idaho, SerieMs outbreaks
have been reported this year in Idaho
Oregon and Utah., while small areas
In Washington and Montana are re-
ported infected, but they have not be.
come widespread as yet.
In 1888 hog cholera was first no.
ticed in Ohio, and from there it has
spread rapidly over the whole country
AS long ago as 1880 more than rs per
cent of the hogs raised in the corn
belt are said to have died, for in those
days little was known about pre-
tentative measures, and the swine
breeder trusted to luck to get his hogs
to market. A conservative estimate
is that from $50, 900, 900 to $3.50, OOO. 900
worth Of hogs died last year in the
middle western states alone. No one
can estimate the total loss, for an
outbreak means loss of pigs from
abortion, stunned growth, costs of
dislnfection and vaccination Another
thing, it discourages swine raising,
for the breeder who loses fruits of
years Of toll in two weeks siege OF
cholera is apt to turn to some other
vocation in life.
No Cause Yet Discovered
Cholera is neither a respector of
breed, age, size, condition or sanitary
surroundings. BY the latter is meant
the, we'll cared for hogs die just as
quickly as do the uncared for, pro-
vided both are infected. No cause of
the disease has yet been discovered
or no treatment found successful after
the disease once attacks hog. When
an experienced swine breeder notices
some Of his pigs refusing to eat, lying
around in an apathetic condition, and
with all the curl gone out Of their
tails, he hastily bids farewell to the
invalid hogs by assassinating them at
once and burning the carcasses. To
burn these easy, he digs a trench
about seven feet long, 10 inches deep
and foot wide, then another trench
about four feet. making the two in
the shape of a cross. He puts in |
some kindling at the intersection, over
this brush. lays the carcass on this,
makes a slash down the belly, throws
In quart Of coal oil, and sets on
fire.
This arrangement causes q draft like
q stove and the body is soon reduced
to ashes.
He telephones for his nearest deputy
state veterinarian to come to his
ranch, divides his herd into small
runs him through good
lisinfecting dip, and the apparently
healthy ones are vaccinated. The pre-
misses are thoroughly disinfected, the
logs tied up, and the persons attend
ing to the healthy hogs do not ven
ture near the sick ones. He does
not raise howl because some of his
hogs die, for he knows
hat II they are infected before they
we're vaccinated, neither serum nor
prayer will avail much. A hograiser is
ermed Experienced after he has lost
Ill of his hogs in trying to treat them
with so-called sure cures and has to
borrow some Of his wife's chicken
money" to start in anew. Old Mo
her Experience gives very short
erm in hog cholera-ology" at her
and well-attended school.
tut her tuition rates are rather high.
Many Other Diseases
Much confusion has existed and
Ices still exist in the Northwestern
tates as to what the present out
freaks among hogs are The writer
las investigated outbreaks on ranches
where pigs were dying, and a number
II causes were found. In many cases
oncentrated food with lack of exer
Use caused paralysis of tho hind.
uarters. In others, damp quarters ,
aused rheumatism. Several out, |
reaks came from the feeding of swiu |
nth I've, soap, coffee grounds, or 6
'as decomposed. Ergot of rye or |
7heat often causes sows to abort,
nd In other cases. where tho soil is q
with limesalts, often the =
igs are born mummified. But the 4
resent outbreaks, extending all over +