The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1917-12-26
Expert Asks
Farmers Help
F. L. French, Emergency Agent, Tells
Hog Owners How to Help
Situation
WORK TOGETHER
Report Every Sign of Disease And
Report 1t as Early as
Possible


u. S. Department Of Public Safety
Commission, several cases Of hog
cholera have been discovered in Red
wood County. Some herds are too
far gone to save by vaccination and
others are in very bad condition. This
will mean losses amounting to thou
sands of dollars to the farmers of
Redwood County unless it can be
stamped out at once. Cooperation
on the part of every farmer in the
county is asked by the government
to aid in checking the spread of this
terrible disease.
As to means Of checking the spread
Of cholera and being able to detect
it when it exists in the herd the fol-
lowing is given as some of the ways
it may be spread and how it may be
diagnosed. Hog cholera lis an acute
fibrile disease, characterized by ex-
IRENE cOntagiOusness and very high
death rate. 1t is usually found in
two forms, the acute and the chronic,
the two differing in the violence of
the germ which causes the disease
and to variation in the resisting
power of hogs. Hog cholera is caused
from germ which may find its way
into the feed lot and then to the hog,
by sick hogs, escaping from neigh
bors herd that has the cholera, by
the purchase Of new stock which may
show no symptoms of sickness until
some time after the purchase, by the
transporting of the germ which are
very small, in minute particle of
dirt on the feet of attendants or
neighbors who have previously Wis
tied farms where cholera existed. AL
so crows, pigeons and dogs are all
means by which the germs may be
carried. The greatest of precautions
must be taken to prevent the spread
of the cholera germs.
Some of the outward symptoms of
hog cholera are: In the beginning
one or two hogs will 60 off feed, the
rest showing no signs of sickness I'M
| til a week or two later, when other
hogs are attacked. The weaker ones
generally showing it first. The sick
ones will show sluggishness, disincli-
nation to move, weakness, Stagger on
walk with uncertain gait, loss Of ap-
petite and high fever, coughing is
frequently heard when they are sud-
denly aroused. After the first few
days of illness there is apt to be
profuse diarrhea. Death may occur
at once or they may linger for weeks
and sometimes months.
In most cases q post norton ex-
animation should be made. This is
more difficult and some one of ex-
pensive in diagnosing cholera should
be called. Small red spots of vary
| ing sizes, found on the surface of the
lungs, heart and kidneys, which can
not be washed off, are the result Of
cholera. The spleen in cases Of chol-
era will usually be quite large dark
and soft. The outer surface of the
small intestine may be literally COW
cred with blood spots.
Briefly outlined, the work of The
government in taking charge Of the
hog cholera situation in this county
will be government emergency agent
will be stationed in the county for a
few days. We will see that all herds
| where cholera exists are vaccinatec
at once, and every precaution taken
to check it's further spread to neigh
boring herds. Serum will be kept
on hand and as soon as new out
break is discovered the herd will be
treated at once. Every means of pre-
venting the spread of the germs must
be used. Farmers must not visit
their neighbours hog pens end worth
less dogs and pigeons mus. be shot.
Cooperation among the farmers in
reporting at once all outbreaks as
soon as they are discovered to Mr.
A. D. Stewart or myself will hid great
ly in helping control the CT olera sit
uation. Don't wait until part of the
herd is dead, but report just as soon
as one shows any signs or cholera.
F.. Z. FRENCH,
u. S. War Emergency Agent