Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-09-18
U. S. MAKES War
ON HOG CHOLERA
Campaign Against Spread Of
Disease Is Begun.
THREE COUNTIES CHOSEN.

&
Animal Industry Concentrate Efforts
In certers Where Dread Malady Was
Most Prevalent In Three States
$4,000 Appropriated.
Work by experts of the United States
bureau of animal industry to check the :
spread of hog cholera throughout the
country has begun. The three coun-
ties chosen. where experiments Will
be made during the next two years. foN<
which purpose $4,000 was apprQS$ 4
ated by congress. are Dallas inA
Montgomery in Indiana and
Missouri. ,KtIpuE
In the last named county
perts estimate that hog che ~ cost
the farmers 100000 last yeaI As the
work of prevention Is already well un-
der way. however. it is believed that
the loss this year will be negligible by
comparison.
The entire work is under the super.
vision of DR.. W. B. Niles Of Ames, Ia.
superintendent Of hog cholera suppress
sion work in the United States. Local
headquarters have been established In
each of the counties named under the
direction Of competent experts. who
will conduct the campaign against the
spread of the dread disease. reporting
daily the progress made to DR.. Niles.
Will Take a Hog Census.
1t is the intention to make hog
survey of each county and card index
every farm. A preliminary examina-
ton developed that cholera existed In
nearly every township. No claims are
made for curing the disease. the prin-
cipal intent being to prevent its spread.
Wherever the affliction Is found ex-
treme measures are taken. In this the
veterinarians are aided greatly by the
stringent laws governing hog cholera
passed in each state last year.
Police authority is vested in the vet
Urinary department. and violations of
the regulations are punishable by
heavy fines. The United States officials
have been designated as state deputies
and thus are empowered to act as they
may desire to stamp out the plague.
Preventive incubation measures are
being taken. The serum alone" or
simultaneous" is used on all infected
farms and also on adjoining premises.
All farms where the disease makes its
appearance are disinfected and thor
oughly cleaned and the carcasses of all
diseased hogs burned
The serum used is manufactured by
the government at Ames. Ia, and Is
shipped to the local headquarters in
the different counties fresh each day.
No commercial serums are used. The
work is done without charge to the
farmers
Restrictive Regulations.
Among the restrictive regulations
which are being enforced in the cam
paign are prevention of shipment
from diseased herds. the quarantining
and placarding Of infected farms, per-
mitting Introduction of new animals
from without experimental area only
under quarantine restrictions. restric-
tions at fairs and shows, cleaning up
of stockyards and prevention Of rein
fection. disinfecting of corn, prohibit
Ing driving of hogs on public highways.
compulsory report Of outbreaks Of
cholera. compulsory ''serum alone or
simultaneous" treatment. within the
discretion of federal officers. prohibit
ing simultaneous incubation or use
Of virus in any form except under state
or federal authority and compulsory
destruction of dead hogs. M
Government experts estimate the loss
to the country through hog cholera
last year at from $S0.O0O.O0O to $90.-
100000 They point out that once the
stock raisers can be convinced that.
the disease can be eliminated by
prompt and efficient effort they will
pay more attention to hogs, and this
will result in a larger production each
year and consequent reduction in
the price of pork and pork products
to the consumer.