The Dickinson press., 1914-07-04
CONCERNING FAKE"
HOG CHOLERA cures"
Many So Called Remedies Of
Absolutely No Value.
PREVENTION ONLY Benefit
BY DR.. c. c. LIPP, South Dakota
State College.

BY DR.. c. c. LIPP, South Dakota
State College.
It is. an old truism that a drowning
man grasps at a straw. The hog own
er becomes the drowning man)just as
soon as cholera makes it's appearance
in his neighborhood. The straw he
grasps at in a most frantic name
is any so called cholera cure: The
farmer is not entirely to blame. He is
not fully aware that hog cholera is
incurable and is SO regarded by the
highest veterinary authorities in all
countries. Lacking this knowledge
he still thinks that some untried drug
or chemical or combination of them
may stay his losses. When an adver-
tisement or an agent guaranteeing a
cure for cholera gains the farmers
attention he frequently grasps what
he considers his opportunity to save
his. hogs. This supposed cure is the
straw at which the drowning man
grasps.
The nature of hog cholera, the va
rious avenues for the exit and en-.
trance of the infection into hogs, the
appearance of diseased organs, the
|. complications incident to cholera, are
all well known facts, available to any
earnest student. This does not mean
any one can become familiar with all
phases of hog cholera without years Of
study under competent instruction.
In the pioneer days when the live
stock interests could not afford the
| services of trained veterinarians it
was necessary for all owners to treat
their own ailing animals. The dis
| eases treated we're as many and va
ried as the medicines used, and when
an animal recovered the recovery
was always attributed to the remedy.
Scientific research has demonstrated
that many of the remedies had no the
rapeutic value whatever and when
recovery occurred it was in spite Of
the treatment and not the result Of 1t.
This is not to be construed as mean
ing that all Of the remedies used were
highest value and are in daily use
now, but many Of them were not in
dictated in the treatment of the dis
eases for which they were employed.
The above situation with regard to
hog cholera prevails today in many
localities. Many farmers claim to
have a cure for this disease. Many
firms are Haunting the most useless
preparations before the farmers
whose hogs are dying of cholera,
knowing that as a last resort the
farmers will grasp at anything that
offers relief. When it is remembered
that all drugs offering the faintest
hope for cure have been repeatedly
tried in this and every other hog
raising country. and found useless it
seems most absurd that any man or
group of men, often without accurate
and scientific knowledge Of the dis
ease processes Of hog cholera, or OF
the action of the drugs used, should
announce a cure for cholera. To say
that cholera can be cured is like say
ing that coal can be made into gold
Both may be possible at some future
time; neither Is possible at present
The veterinary department at. state
college received almost daily requests
for information concerning so called
cures for cholera. Often samples OF
these cures are sent for analysis or
trial. To those unfamiliar with the
situation it may seem strange that
tests or analyses Of these cures are
not made. In the first place no funds
are available for the purchase of hogs
for tests of this kind. Money was ap
propriated for the purchase of hogs
for serum production and not for test
ing fake cholera cures. In the sec
ond place the entire time Of all mer
employed in the veterinary depart
ment is fully occupied with the work
Of serum production.
In view Of the above facts its seems
Hkesa most useless expenditure o.
money to invest In any SO called cure
for cholera. Not only is 1t q waste o.
money, but the disappointment to thu
farmer is of no small Importance
Several disappointments like THU
naturally make him skeptical abou
the value of all cholera treatment ant
even raises a serious question in hi
mind concerning the value of hol
cholera serum as a preventive. Dis
appointment following the use of fax,
cures has made doubling :Thomase'
Of many farmers whenever hog chol
era is mentioned. Much Of this Il
due not to the ineficiency Of SERUM
but valueless remedies SO often ad
vised.
CAUSES OF DISEASE.