Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1919-06-20
RIDGELL TELLS
HOW TO CURE
SWINE BLAGUE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERT SAYS
SERUM EFFICACl0uS
luust Keep Hog Houses and Pastures
In Sanitary Condition As Bac-
teria Thrives In Soil

During the past several weeks many
farmers of the County have experlen-
ced heavy losses from swine plague
or infectious pneumonia, and S the
symptoms of the disease is not very
well understood | invite your atten-
ton to the specific auses, symptoms
and treatment
Swine plague is an infectious disease
caused by the invasion of bacteria
known as bacillus suisepticus which
affects the lungs of the hogs especial
ly. As a usual thing the disease is OF
chronic nature, that is, the hog may
live for a week or more after the dis
ease sets in, but quite often it is acute
and the hog may die within a few
hours. Pneumonia and pleurisy are the
most common symptoms as the lungs
are more involved than any other or
gans. Breathing is heavy and by jerks
producing noise that may be either
gurgling or distinct wheeze. The ami
nal becomes weak, fever rises, the
back a rched and quite often the hog
cannot walk in a line, but runs in a
circle. A post mortem examination
will show a hardening of part or all
of the lungs, considerable pus of a
yellowish color, and quite often an
enlarged portion may be found over
which is a growth of yellow tissue
resembling the fat of fowl. Lessons
sometime occur on the intestines but
the kidneys are rarely ever involved
This is the most direct difference be-
swine plague and cholera diagnosis
especially when taken in connection
with the absence Of blood splotches
that occur in the case of cholera. How
ever, swine plague may occur in con-
junction with hog cholera. In infected
herds it is advisable to use the sin
gle treatment or serum alone where
swine plague is suspicioned in order
to avoid losses which might follow the
administration of the double treat
ment in such instances. 1t is very diff
ficult to distinguish between the sym
ptoms and LESSONS of hog cholera and
swine plague before a post mortem
examination is made. In cases of doubt
it is always advisable to use anti-hog
cholera serum and follow with inpec-
tions of swine plague bacterins, if the
losses are not successfully checked by
serums.
While ther c is some expense to
give both cholera serum and swine
plague bacterins, the high price of
pork make the practice one Of the very
cheapest forms of insurance to be had
Therefore, it seems advisable to vac
cinate all pigs Immediately following
weaving on premises where disease
has prevailed either this year or last
Hemorhagis septicena, contagious
pneumonia are identical with swine
plague and may occur independently
of hog cholera. While hog cholera ser
um is being used more freely in the
control of cholera, and the swine
plague bacterins when used have giver
satisfactory results, such valuable aid
as sanitation in combating these dis.
eases should not be neglected. This is
the year Of all years for vigorous dis.
infections Of hog houses and rotations
of pastures, if we are to check the
ravages of hog cholera and swine
plague.
Pasture rotation should be more
carefully followed as a step in swine
hygiene. Especially is this applicable
where disease has prevailed in the
past or where disease is now preva.
lent. The soils become filled with dis.
ease producing bacteria and the ap.
plication of chemical disinfectants are
of no avail. Many pastures have beer
used for feeding and raising swine fol
ten or more years and the fundamen
tai laws of health, sanitation and by.
giene have been disregarded in his
procedure, There is no more practi
cal or urgent message of conservation
at his time than rotation of hog pas
lures and sanitary methods of prevent
ing the spread of diseases.
j. Mel. RIDGELL,
A orion ltI,ra1 E,ypa