The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-02-14
tuberculosis of Swine

disease, caused by the tubercle bacil-
lis. and characterized by the formation
of tubercles.
tuberculosis in swine by the average
layman, is an unthought of, and fire.
quently an unheard of, disease that
damages the swine industry of the
United States to very marked extent
In 1911. according to the Bureau of
Animal Industry, there were 20, 92O, ,25O
carcases of swine inspected in the abat-
toira subject to Federal inspection. OF
this amount 31.517 carcases and 87O,26l
parts of carcases were condemned on
on account of tuberculosis, hence an
enormous loss, and tuberculosis has
been on a rapid increase, due to more
extensive dairying and beef raising and
also TO the increase of swine husbandry.
Swine from some sections of the United
States are so badly infected that the
packers will buy hogs { ON these Sec
tions subject only to post mortem in
specsion.
Source of Infection:- = The germs (tu-
bercule bacill) are eliminated from af-
fected animals through the secretions
and excretions that pass to the outside
world, Thus the tubercule bacilli are
eliminated in the feces from affected
animals that have tubercular LESSONS in
intestines, Also if the LESSONS are In
the liver or pancreas they are eliminated
in the feces, as the excretions of these
glands are eliminated through the in
testinal tract. Open tuberculous le-
sons of the respiratory organs would
permit the elimination of the tubercule
bacili thru the excreta of the air pas
sages and also thru the intestinal tract.
as more or less of the excreta is swal-
lowed and passes out with the feces,
Tubercule bacilli may also be elimin ated
in the milk, If the mammary gland is af-
fected, and If the urogenitol organs are
effected the germs will be given off in
the excretions from these organs. Hogs
are most frequently infected from fol-
lowing cattle in the field and from be-
ing fed milk from infected cows, and
from being fed garbage that contains
the human tubercule baclli. This has
been proven by feeding hogs o: garbage
from tuberculosis sanitaria and hotels
that has not been sterillzed, 1t is pos
sibIe that infection may be transmitted
in the air from infected to the healthy
swine.
Channels of Entrance:-T most fire.
quent channel of entrance is through
the digestive tract by infected food and
and water. Also inhala1on OF contain
mated air. Mammary tuberculosis Ct.
b of uddery may be the result of cuta-
neous (skin) infection, or may be trans
mitted from elsewhere in the body.
Transmission of the tubercule bacilli
from the mother to fetus is hardly pos
sible. but weakened condition or sus-
ceptibility to the disease may and fire.
qaently is transmitted from mother to
fetus.
Symptoms: tuberculosis Of swine is
a chronic disease. The onset is so In
sidious that no.abnormality Is suspect
ed. Digestive arrangements develop
slowly and usually in young pigs where
the digestive organs are affected.
Pulmonary tuberculosis Is evidenced
by dry and short cough and by diff
cult breathing. Animal thin and rough
coat and emacioted as the disease pro-
crosses.
Osseous tuberculosis ct. B. OF the
bones) is characterized by interference
of Scomotion and tumefaction of the
affected bone.
The length of the course of I. B. is
variable. In young pigs may terminate
fatally 10 two to three months, but in
older hogs the disease is usually of the
chronic form and are usually marketed
before the disease manifests itself elm
icaliy
Diagnosis: The clinical diagnosis of
this disease is impossible without the
use of tuberculin. but may be detected
upon post mortem or autopsy.
Treatment:- Curative treatment Is of
no value. Only rational method to tell
affected animals subjected to post NOR
ten inspection. thus eliminating total
loss to the owner. no loss to the packer
and eliminating all danger to the con-
sumer.
tuberculosis Is q preventable disease
and co1ld be greatly eliminated by the
proper control Of tuberculosis cattle. I.
B. in swine under present farming con- |
ditions can't be accomplished until the
diseases ersdicated in cettle. The tu-
berenIin testing Of cattle will help to
eliminate this source Of infection. and
the sterilization Of garbage ard pas
teurizing Of milk will help to eliminate
the dangers in feeding garbage and