The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-02-05
HOG CHOLERA
GERM IN BLOOD
Government Working TO Eradi-
cate Disease

''>
past year, has been conducting cam
paigns in Indiana, Missouri. Iowa
and Nebraska to control the conta-
gious disease of hogs known as hog
cholera by mean Of anti-hog .chol-
era serum and farm guarantees. In
one county (Pettis county Missouri
there was a loss Of 10 PER cent in
Gil and 26.6 per cent in 1912 of all
hogs raised, there was only a loss of
14.7 per cent up to November 1913.
This decrease was due to the use of
the serum, which, although not used
there by the departments agents
until August. 1918, materially re-
duced the loss. About $4,000 hogs
were raised during the past year
and of the 10000 that died of the
hog cholera only about 1000 were
lost after the active use Of the serum
and quarantine measures were in
a%ugurated.
In every county where these meas,
ures were employed, even though
begun after the disease had contin-
ued its ravages for some time, there
was less loss from hog cholera than
in either of the two preceding years.
In addit. on to its great function
as a preventive. it has been found
that the anti hog cholera serum
would cure a large proportion of
hogs IN the early stages of the d.
sease and render them immune after
recovery
Some states are engaged in the
manufacture of serum to cure this
disease. This serum requires special
treatment to preserve its quality
and a qualified man to produce it
Sufficient serum to treat an average
hundred pound hog costs about fifty
| cents at a liberal estimate, the treat.
ment is by hypodermic injection.
The object of the Department has
been to endeavor to control the di-
seasc and if possible. to eliminate il
from the country. To secure this
the best efforts of the farmer
himself are necessary. The cam.
paign against this devastating six.
ness during 1913 was planned in the
territory selected along three lines.
/. The education and organiZa-
ton Of the farmers in the districts
selected; to be carried out primarily
by the state college.
2. The enforcement Of sanitation
and restrictive regulations by the
state veterinarian
3. Active supervision bv the bu
reau of Animal Industry of the De-
partment and the incubation o. di.
seased herds and exposed herds with
the antl-hog- cholera serum
Hog cholera is caused by a germ
that exists in the blood. 1t is an
organism apparently 81 small thai
the most powerful microscopes dc
not show it. However, it is easy tC
demonstrate its presence by inocu
Iating a small part of the blood from
a sick hog into a well one, which
produces the hog cholera.
Hog cholera is a disease Ahict
seems to be stopped to a degree by
the frosts of winter. although fros'
cannot be said to stop a Ease aftel
it has taken hold of its victim
However. it seems to prevent tn,
rapid spread of the disease. Tn,
result Is that in sprirg time the af
lection is as a rule at the lowest ebt
but increases rapidly from that tim,
until fall.
Hog cholera does not seem to af
feet any particular breed Of hog!
more than another, and while gen
orally the careless farmer is more APP
to have the disease among his hog.
than the careful one. the disease
sometimes occurs where the condi
tions are sanitary. 1t Is hoped tina
the work may be extended gradually
until the disease is completely con
trolled or eliminated. The fact thai
hog cholera is carried not only b,
the hogs themselves. but by birds
dogs, streams and ever on the fee
of men going from one farm L
another shows how necessary it j.
that the campaign be thorough ano
that farmers exert their best efforts
to assist in the work.
offered up prayers and sacrifices foI
tho ropoco &c t;c coui iE,Sah,,e Y