The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-10-24
GUINEA PIG NOW
DOING HIS BIT"
Small Animals Used in Testing
and Standardizing SerumS
and AntitoxinS.
VALUABLE help TO SCIENCE
Immature Animals Weighing About
Nine Ounces Are Required for
Medical Research Work-Some
Hints on Raising Them.

Guinea pigs are fit for any table and
are receiving attention now in connec-
ton with the utilization of every means
of increasing food supplies. There is
another wartime use, however, that
perhaps appeals more to the magma
ton. This is in medical research, es-
pecially in testing and standardlzlng
antitoxins and Serums. Such medical
research work has been much enlarged,
and has greatly increased in impor-
lance since Americas entry into the
world war.
The guinea pig, in being made to
help in the testing of serums and anti
toxins, confers direct benefit upon
the American soldier. Therefore, the
guinea pig is doing his bit and persons
who enter the industry Of raising
guinea pigs likewise help to meet
wartime need.
In medical research immature ami
mails weighing go grains (nearly nine
ounces) are required. This weight is
attained in about six weeks. In past
years the average price of a guinea pig
has been about rs cents, but reports
have been received recently of labora-
tories paying from 81 to $3.50 because
of the scarcity of suitable stock. Per-
sons favorably situated near cities or
institutions requiring large numbers of
guinea pigs may establish profitable
business in supplying them. They
should remember, however, that ami
rails previously used for serum or an
titOxin tests, or the offspring of guinea
pigs that have survived such tests, may
be unfit for laboratory experiments.
Guinea Pigs as Food.
Guinea pigs are seldom eaten in the
United States, but their near relation
snip to rabbits and the fact that they
are wholly vegetarian in habits may
reassure anyone entertaining doubts
as to their fitness for the table. The
small size of the domestic species is
the chief cause for its neglect as food
animal, yet other highly esteemed
game animals furnish less meat than
a guinea pig.
The Peruvian method of dressing the
guinea pig for cooking is the one gen.
orally adopted. The animal is killed
by diSlocating its neck, after which it
goes through about the same process
as o sucking pig in preparation for
cooking. Its throat is cut, it is hung
up for a few minutes to bleed and Is
then scalded in water that at first is
not too hot. The hair is removed, the
skin scraped with knife, the entrails
taken out and the carcass washed in
tepid water. 1t is then ready for the
cook. The Peruvians usually roast the
animals, but the number of possible
ways of cooking them is unlimited. A
traveller in Peru states that they are
excellent eating when cooked in any of
the ways commonly applied to small
game.
Management of Guinea Pigs.
Few animals are as easily raised as
guinea pigs. They are much less sub
ject to diseases than are rabbits.
For al purposes, except exhibition,
the only kinds of guinea pigs that
should be grown are the smooth-haired
varieties. These are of several cOlors.
If guinea pigs are raised for table use,
lighI-cOlored kinds are to be preferred;
If for scientific purposes, color is of
little Importance, although distinctive
markings are desirable. The chief