The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-11-29
IMMENSE TOLL
IS TAKEN BY
HOG CHOLERA
ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS OF A
MILLION DOLLARS LOST TO
FARMERS THIS YEAR - SERUM
PROVES BENEFICIAL.

DNlINd dl'lI Ohld'' NV ~ i IpHi
January / to November |, 1915, hog
cholera losses in Oklahoma amounted
TO SG32,S7l. This Is based upon es-
Inmates Of 150i79 hogs at a value Of
Sc each. The low value is due large
ly to the fact that in any outbreak
Of cholera a great many small pigs
are lost,
Heavy as is this loss, it is light
compared to that ordinarily eX-
pcrienced in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois
and other great hog-raising states,
II is also true that the past year has
Witnessed an exceptionally large num-
bcr of hog cholera epidemics.
A more hopeful side of the story is
evident when one learns that through
the use of anti-hog chloera serum
there was saved to the state hogs
to the value of $j9G,29l. This does
not represent net saving, however
as there was expended for hog chol-
era serum the sum of $116,O19.75,
The average application of anti-hog
cholera serum was fifty cubic cent?
meters per head. The average price
of ant.hog cholera serum in this
state is | 1-2 cents per cubic cent?
meter. The above figures are sup
piled by V. w. Knowles, veterinary
field agent, representing the United
States bureau of animal industry in
Oklahoma. Mr. Knowles figures are
based l2rgely upon reports from the
sixty county agents working under
direction of the extension division
of A. & N. College and the United
States department of agriculture.
Infected at Time.
Most of the herds that were treat
ed with hog cholera serum were in
fccted at the time of treatment, says
Doctor Knowles. II has been the
observation of Doctor Knowles and
the county agents that very few hogs
properly treated with reliable serum
have died of cholera.
There is probably no disease OF
animals that has had such de-
pressing effect upon the live stock
industry in this and other states, as
hog cholera. Oklahoma is, in reality,
among the light losers from this dis
ease. Figures supplied in past years
have shown that this state loses
fewer hogs to the thousand than al
most any other of the hog producing
states. BY paying strict attention to
sanitary measures and by careful
vaccination with reliable serum
when hog cholera first puts in an
appearance in the neighborhood the
losses in this state could be cut
much lower than at present.
Some authorities on hog cholera
are inclined to believe that the chol-
era in some districts may be attrib-
uted. to at least some extent, to the
careless use of hog cholera virus.
There are two forms of immunization
the single treatment, which gives
immunity for some 80 to 80 days, and
the simultaneous treatment, in which
cholera "irus are given. The SIM
ultaneous or double treatment gives
permanent immunity, but as the virus
is in reality the germ of cholera,
it is very dangerous thing in the
hands of inexperienced persons. There
are cases on record where hog chol-
era has apparently been introduced
through careless handling of virus.
Bulletin No. 1Oi of the Oklahoma
agricultural experiment station goes
thoroughly into the question of hog
cholera and its prevention. The bull
letin will be sent free to anyone in
Oklahoma who writes for copy.
The following information on "The
Spread of Hog Cholera" is taken
from this bulletin:
Easily Carried.
Hog cholera is an infectious dis
ease and one that is very easily
spread to neighboring farms. In
many cases those most interested
fail to appreciate the ease and the
great variety of ways by which chol-
era may be carried from farm to
farm. One factor in the spread OF
cholera that makes it difficult to
impress upon stockmen the neces-
sity for quarantine is the length
of time elapsing after exposure be-
fore symptoms are noticeable. This
period is very variable and depends
upon the type Of disease. The time
between exposure and coming down
with the cholera will vary from a