The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-03-10
MARKED DECLINE IN HOG
CHOLERA LOSSES.
Progress Made During Past Year In

Progress Made During Past Year In
Controlling Disease.
That well-deflned progress is be
ing made in the control Of hog
cholera in the State of Maryland is
indicated in the annual report OF
DR.. l. X. Atherton. Federal Inspec
tor in Charge of the work. This re-
port covering the year 1921 show
that there was a reduction of 2!
per cent in the number of hof
cholera outbreaks under the pre-
vious year or Ass cases as compared
to S14 In 1920.
There has been steady decrease
in the losses from this disease since
hog cholera control work was in
augurated in the state five years ago
by the U. s. Bureau Of Animal In
dustry in cooperation with the State
Board of Agriculture. Swine losses
have been reduced from 70 per
thousand prior to 1917 to As per
thousand in 1921, resulting in an
annual saving Of 17,175 head. With
an average value of SIS per head
for the five year period, the total
saving in dollars and cents has been
$274.8O5.00 per annum. In con
trast to the saving effected. the APP
proximate cost of the work has been
$4,000 a year. borne equally by the
Federal government and the State.
1t Is also worthy of note that dur
ing the above period. Maryland has
advanced from ninth to seventh
place in the number of hogs per
square mile, being exceeded only b,
Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois. Mis-
souri, and Georgia. This show.
that Maryland farmers are raisinc
more hogs as the menace of hog
cholera is gradually eliminated.
Four Veterinarians assigned by
the Bureau of Animal Industry de
vote their entire time to the work
the State being divided into fou
districts. the headquarters of which
are located respectively at College
Park, Hagerstown, Elkton and Sails
bury.
The work of controlling the dis
ease is conducted under the MARY.
land Plan for Hog Cholera Control"
this plan being founded on the prin-
ciple of preventing the introduction,
harboring and spread of the infec-
ton. The success Of this methoo
rests with the individual farmer and
depends upon the extent of the CO.
operation obtained from him. No
compulsory regulations are main
tanned and his compliance with the
provisions of the plan must neces-
sarily be entirely voluntary. In
general it may be said that the
farmers are giving their fullest CO.
operation and approval of the work.
However. the greatest difficulty
encountered has been in obtaining
early reports of sick hogs and in
numerous instances widespread out
breaks have occurred with resultant
heavy losses before the authorities
were aware Of the presence Of the
infection. On the other hand,
when an outbreak has been prompt
ly reported, not the slightest diff
Guilty has been experienced in stop
ping the spread Of the infection.
The cooperation of all farmers
and hog raisers is therefore request
ed in reporting all cases Of sick hogs, |
Reports should be made to your
county agricultural agent or to the
Federal veterinarian in this district |
who is DR.. w. H. Wright. Elkton.
Md. Prompt investigation will be
made Of these cases and thus ma
terial assistance will be given to the
work OF controlling one Of the
most serious of livestock diseases.
He who drinks prune Juice and