Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-08-24

In recent edition OF q popular pc
riodical devoted to notwithstanding,
an article was noted wherein the writer
blamed sparrows for spreading hog
cholera infection. No evidence was
presented TO substantiate the claim
but the charge against the birds was
matter OF opinion. However, the ac-
cuser sat as a Judge and jury, found a
verdict Of guilty, and ordered the exc
cution OF the alleged Offenders IL is
possible this party was looking for
some one or something TO blame for
his own carelessness and singled out
some of God S fealhered friends.
The Offering OF alibies for our own
mistakes appears to be popular form
of diversion. This is certainly true in
regard TO hog cholera. People are
constantly injecting an element of mys-
terry in the spread of disease, but sell
dom are willing to accept responsible
ity for dissemination OF the infection.
If person wants to see the bird that
is responsible for starting new out
breaks OF hog cholera infection, he
should look up the owner or caretaker
Of the sick hogs in which the disease
first developed. If the person that
possesses this curiosity happens to be
the owner of the sick swine let him get
looking glass and take peep at the
features reflected, and he will see the
guilty party. IL Is possible the party
who was responsible for bringing the
infection into the neighborhood did so
unwittingly, but that is no reason why
defenseless creatures should be blamed
for the outbreak.
II you will get the facts on any new
outbreak OF hog cholera you will find
that one or more of the three following
factors have entered the case Either
the animals were fed garbage, table
refuse or kitchen swill containg bones,
rinds or soaps OF pork; sick or exposed
hogs we're introduced into the herd;
there was use of, or as usually the
case, abuse of the double treatment.
If you want to see the birds respon-
sible for the outbreak Of the hog chol-
era infection from primary outbreaks
to other farms just try this /; Get all
the owners of sick hogs together, have
them sing the chorus of "Hail, Hail,
The Gangs all Here; take a snap
shot OF the bunch and you will have
practically the whole aviary. 1t might
be careless gelder, pedler or similar
parsonage had finger in the pie, but
facts remain that, when there are sick
hogs in the neighborhood, owners OF
swine should not permit irresponsible
persons to visit their lots.
Get the facts on any outbreak of hog
cholera where the infection has spread
from one farm to another and you will
find that, without an exception, some
human fraility was to blame. Again
the responsible parties may have I'M
willingly caused the trouble, but the
| bird who is most to blame in these in
stances is the one whose hogs first de-
veloped the disease, and failed to re-
port 1t to the authorities.
The history of the hog cholera work
In Maryland, covering a period of
more than six years, shows that not in
u single instance has there been
spread OF the infection where the out
break has been promptly reported.
Now if sparrows or any mysterious
agency were responsible for the spread
OF the infection, isn't it reasonable to
suppose that these agencies would
function regardless OF whether or not
the outbreak had been promptly re-
ported to the authorities.
II any member of the feathered tribe
be guilty OF spreading hog cholera in
lection it would undoubtedly be the
buzzards. However, il the persons
who lose hogs with cholera would
promptly dispose of the carcasses, the
buzzard would have no more chance
OF spreading the infection than boot
logger would have of doing business
with tPussyfootn johnson.
| |. K. ATHERroN,
Inspector in Charge of Hog Cholera
Work