Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-15

| columns }"Om time to time calcu-
| '';rl TO inform our farmers relative
| to the causes of cholera. characteris-
| &C. symptoms by which it may be
| Identified and the regulations gov
| erning the movement of hogs. 1t is
| appropriate and desirable that in
| formation should now be presented
which outlines the proper treatment
| Of hoSS suffering from cholera. To
! this end there is incorporated and
presented in this article summary
| of such data as is available on this
| subject. 1t represents the very last
word as worked out by the officials
| in charge of the veterinary division
| of the Georgia State College OF Ag-
riCu)ture.
| Without treatment of any kind the
| losses from hog cholera usually run
| from 80 to 100 per cent. The results
which have been obtained through the
| use of hog cholera serum, properly
administered by one who knows his
| business, show a saving, on the aV-
| erage, in infected herds, of more than
| 90 per cent. These results have OBJ
| tanned over a period of several years
in many states and show conclusive
| ly the great value of this preparation
| in the prevention and control of hog
cholera. 1t is believed that ulti-
mately hog cholera will be eradicat-
ed. This must come about, however,
through the use of vigorous cleaning
and disinfecting of infected premi-
ses. restriction over the movement
of hogs in and from infected places
and localities, proper disposal of car
casses of hogs dead of cholera, OBJ
servance of regulations governing
quarantine, isolation as well as the
immunization of swine by means of
serum treatment
There are on the market many
preparations advertised as proven
five and c1lT9tiNp medicinal treat
ments for hog cholera. Several such
preparations. made in Georgia. have
been tested here. In every case they
have failed to protect hogs against
innoculation with virulent blood and
pen exposure to cholera. Many such
Preparations have been tested and re-
ported upon at other serum plants in
various states. In al cases the re-
ports have been practically the same:
No results.
The results of years of expert
mental work and investigation by
scientific medical men show that
there is no reliable medicinal prepar-
alton of any real value either as
preventive or curative treatment OF
true hog cholera
Good hygienic conditions maintain
ed through proper sanitation, proper
care and plentiful and properi%
balanced ration are of more value
than any known medicine for keeping
hogs well and thrifty.
The keeping of hogs confined in the
same yards or lots throughout the
year or in poorly constructed hog
houses having board or earthen floors
is poor management. Such quarters
cannot be kept in a sanitary condl-
ton rotation of hog lots is de-
sirable every few months. Lots may
be planted in forage crops and these
harvested by the hogs. While the
crops are growing germs and para.
sites that are dependent upon hoSS
for their existence are dying out.
Even though vacant hog lots are not
planted in crops, if left idle for sew
eral months. natures disinfectants,
Sunshine and variations of tempera-
ture will destroy germs and para
sites and thereby render the lots
more healthful for the animals. Ce-
ment floors are permanent and may
readily be cleaned and kept SAM
tary.
EARLY diagnosis is important. The
best results from the serum treat
ment are had in herds treated imme-
diately after the disease shows it
self 1t many cases accurate dag
nosis is very difficult and requires
the exercising of expert knowledge.
In all cases where possible the serV-
| ices of a graduate veterinarian should
be obtained. A complete history OF
| the outbreak including all possible
| exposures to infection should be con-
sidered and a careful autopsy OF one
or more sick hogs made in order that
accurate data upon which to base
diagnosis and differentiation from
diseases other than hog cholera may
be obtained. This important feature
should not be overlooked, as in many
instances herds suffering from para
site infestations, food poisoning, ne
crobacilIosis and other troubles have
fr.I ', mr. n
good results obtained. In some To-
calities this has been responsible for
fdiIurA of swine owners to place
proper confidence in the serum treat
ment and the results have been the
unnecessary losses of swine in large
numbers.
County agents are not veterinari-
ans, nevertheless they may be of con-
siderable assistance to farmers in
connection with outbreaks of chol-
era. They should not be called upon
to administer serum to herds, but
may demonstrate the procedure OF
serum treatment for the instruction
of farmers or attendants of herds.
They should call attention to in
sanitary conditions which may eX-
list and give advice concerning clean
ing and diSinfecting and such other
measures as hog lot and pasture ro-
tation, isolation and the observance
of quarantine and transportation reg
ulations. They should impress upon
the farmer the absolute necessity OF
proper disposal of carcasses and 9TH
er measru seuseful in preventing the
spread of disease. Instead of at
tempting to make a differential dag
nosis by post mortem examination,
or otherwise, they should advise the
swine owner to obtain the services
of the local graduate veterinary prac-
titioner or of one Of the state or fed
eral veterinarians engaged in hog
cholera work. They should report
all new outbreaks of hog cholera or
other tagious diseases of farm an
imals at once to the state veterina-
rian. Hog cholera clubs may be or
ganiZed in infected localities for the
purpose of spreading dnIolh
concerning the nature ana serious
ness of the disease and the measures
to be taken for the prevention OF
its spread and steps necessary TO
be taken in order to obtain serum for
the treatment of swine.
Two methods of using serum are
in vogue. These are: Serum alone"
and simultaneous incubation" The
first consists of the injection, into
one of several locations in the body,
of measured dose of serum in pro-
portion to the weight and condition
of the hog. With this method a
great deal of good may be accom-
plished by anyone sufficiently intel
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