The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-10-08
Ways In Which the Hog Cholera Germ
May Reach a Herd


4.lLhough the conul.ions Just men
Toned undoubtedly exert considerable
influence upon the relative resisting
powers Of hogs to hog cholera, the
uIsease can be started in herd only
by introducing the germ which cause.
1t. This germ IS always present in the
rom them in large numbers In the
feces and urine, thus communicating
the yards or pens in which sick hogs
are kept. The most dangerous factor
n spreading hog cholera is, therefore
the sick hog; but any agency which
might serve to carry a particle of dirt
from infected yards may be the means
of starting an outbreak of the dis
ease.
Sick hogs may get onto farm ~
by escaping from a neighboring herd,
(2) by the purchase of new stock
which may show no symptoms of sick
ness until some days after purchase,
(3) by returning show hogs to herds
after visits to fairs or stock shows,
| az by purchase Of hogs which have
apparently recovered from hog chol-
era. The risk incurred by the purchase
of new hogs which have been shown
at fairs Is chiefly due to the fact that
such hogs are usually transported by
rail, unloaded in public stock yards,
or driven along public roads. 1t is
well known that sick hogs are fire.
auently shipped by rail and the rail-
Dad cars thus become contaminated
nth the germs of hog cholera. When
healthy hogs are placed in such cars
or yards or driven along public roads
they almost always have the oppor-
tunity to contract the disease, but
the interval between shipment and
delivery to the purchaser is so short
that the symptoms do not appear un-
til a week or more after delivery,
when 1t Is usually too late to prevent
the spread of the disease to hogs al
ready on the farm. Obviously the
only safe plan in such cases is to
place all new arrivals In lots entirely
separated from those occupied by the |
main herd and to keep them isolated |
until danger of their developing hog
cholera has passed.
Some Precautions Urged
Aside from the danger Of introduc-
ing Infection thru the hogs them
selves it must be remembered that the
germ of the disease, which as already
stated, Is enthusiastically small, may
be transported in a minute particle
Of dirt on the feet Of attendants or
neighbors who have previously visit
ed farms where hog cholera exists
1t may also be carried in this way
by dogs, and by crows and other birds
It has been claimed, and considerable
proof has been brought to show it,
that the disease may be carried down
stream from some herds which are
Affected above. 1t Is therefore we'll
% avoid placing hogs where they will
nave access to streams which pass
hru other farms. AS diseased hogs
ire frequently transported by rail, it
s quite possible for infection to be
Introduced into farm by litter drop
Jed from cars In transit, especially
t hogs on the farm have access to
he tracks. After hog cholera has Wis
ted farm, the lots. hog houses, feed
ng troughs. and implements used for
leaning have naturally become con- !
animated with the germs Of the
isease, and if new stock is placed !
n such yards soon after these were
coupled by sick hogs the new hogs
re very likely to contract the dis
ase, but If such yards are left I'M
coupled the germs will die out after .
while. Unfortunately it is not pos
ible to tell with certainty just how
)ng a time Is required for these Z
erms to die out, this uncertainty
eng due to the fact that conditions
n different farms vary widely, and Il
lso because the weather conditions, G
'hich have an important influence
pom the vitality of the hog cholera
erm, vary from time to time and in
Ifferent sections of the country In a
lew of this uncertainty it is safest
} wait as long as possible before
acing new hogs in lots that have
sen infected Such premises should
3t be restocked sooner than three 81
onths after the last hog has been m
moved. And before restocking such ii
'emises should be cleaned and tho ~
'ly disinfected in the manner de- M
ribbed under the heading General y
which will form another fl
lapter of this article. p
Symptoms of Hog Cholera te
Tie symptoms Of hog cholera are A
ch that any intelligent person may y.
It'll careful study make a reasonable at
agnosIs of outward appearances, 50