South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-05
ON CHOLERA
SAVES MILLIONS
FOR PORK SUPPLY.
ImmunitiZatiOn Preserves 81
100000 Pounds for the
Hog Market During
the Year.

Advance Of the serum and virus
treatment for hog cholera is credit
ed by United States department Of
agriculture officials with being large
Is responsible for recent great devel-
opment Of the trafic in stocker and
feeder hogs. II is estimated that
more than 37.5OO.OOO pounds of
pork we're added 10 the nations
supply by this traffic in the fiscal
year that ended June 30. although
regulations were modified 10 help
the Industry only on Jan. . Further
notable growth OF the traffic is ex-
pected.
During the fiscal year ending
June 30. 254.731 head of swine were
inspected and immunized against
hog cholera by inspectors OF the
bureau OF animal industry at public
stoclyards and were shipped 20
country points for feeding and
breeding purposes The average
OF immuniziatiOn was approximately
100 pounds. Probably $500 Of
the number were shipped for feed
ing purposes and later were re-
turned 10 the markets at an average
weight OF $50 20 275 pounds giving
an approximate total increase OF
from $500. 900 10 $500 go pounds
OF pork.
How Hog Cholera Spreads.
Many years ago lightweight hogs
and piggy sows we're sold at the
markets as feeders and breeding
animals. respectively. and shipped
Unfortunately 20 all sections Of
the country. This practice spread
hog-cholera infection throughout all
swine-raising sections and was one
Of the causes OF the staggering loss
es from that disease. The depart
ment thereupon issued an order
prohibiting the interstate shipment
OF hogs from public stockyards ex-
cept for immediate slaughter. The
effect OF that order was that all
lightweight hogs. some OF them
young sows suitable for breeding
sent 20 the markets were slaughter
ed, and the pork which would have
been produced. had they grown 20
maturity as well as the potential
breeding value OF the sows, was
consequently lost.
In addition. the fact that many
OF these animals were not especial
" desirable for slaughter made
them bring comparatively low prices.
frequently resulting in actual loss
70 the shippers.
Quarantine Orders Modified.
After the serum and virus treat
ment against hog cholera was stand
ardized by specialists Of the depart
ment. an order was issued permit
ting swine 10 be shipped from pub
lie stuckyards for feeding or breed
ing purposes when they had been
given such treatment under the SUI
pervision OF a department inspec-
tor However, IL was required that
treated swine should be held in the
Yards q DAYS before shipment. this
period being later reduced 10 IA
days. The cost OF feeding the ami
mails during the quarantine period
was so great that the traffic did not
reach any considerable proportions.
But with added knowledge and ex-
peFience in the control OF hog chol-
era. and amplihcation Of state laws
governing its control the depart
ment thought IL safe 20 permit the
shiJment OF treated hogs at once
70 points in states which have reg
ulations requiring that such ami
mails be held in local quarantine un-
tl q DAYS have elapsed since the
date OF treatment. The order per
hitting this became effective on
Jan >. 1915
Previous 20 that date. shipments
~ immunized swine had been com
paratively few while since that time
the number has grown rapidly. No
doubt is entertained that as the fact
lities for handling such animals are
improved and the general knowledge
with reference 90 hog cholera is in
creased. the traffic i'm stocker and
feeder hogs from public stockyards
will have a steady growth and viii
become a tremendous factor in tho
production and conservation Of
food