290 Missouri Agricultui'al Report. 



The experiments mentioned encouraged us to give a more ex- 

 tensive trial to this method, with the view of testing its practica- 

 bility when applied under the varied conditions that exist on the 

 stock farms of the State. Also to attempt to improve upon the 

 methods of producing the "immunizing serum," with the view of 

 increasing the quantity and lessening the cost. 



This larger test, which has been carried on during the past 

 year, has included over six thousand hogs, in thirty coun- 

 ties of the State. The results justify us in the opinion that pre- 

 ventive inoculation by means of this ''immunizing serum" is des- 

 tined to play an important role in the eradication of hog cholera. 

 I shall return to this part of the subject after considering other 

 phases of the question, which more appropriately stand first. 



For effective work in the control and final eradication of hog 

 cholera, "preventive inoculation" must be supplemented by other 

 measures — which are of easy application by the farmers them- 

 selves, and by means of which (even without inoculation) out- 

 breaks have time and again been kept within narrow limits and 

 great losses doubtless averted. In the past the neglect of many 

 swine raisers to apply even simple preventive measures has been 

 mainly due to a lack on their part of reliable information in 

 regard to the nature of hog cholera — its diagnosis, the manner of 

 its spread, and the means by which it may be held in check — I am 

 sure that I can render no better service to those present than to 

 dispel some of the erroneous notions that prevail in regard to 

 this disease, and to give whatever is of practical importance for 

 you to know in regard to cholera and its control. I shall attempt 

 to give this information in plain, untechnical terms which every 

 one can understand, for in my opinion the control of cholera de- 

 pends quite as much on the active interest, and intelligent co- 

 operation of the farmers, swine breeders, feeders, shippers and 

 managers of live stock exhibits in efforts to eradicate this dis- 

 ease, as it does upon the Veterinary Service of Boards of Agri- 

 culture, or Experiment Stations. 



DIAGNOSIS OF HOG CHOLERA. 



In the control of any contagious or infectious disease the early 

 recognition of its presence is of prime importance, in order that 

 prompt action may be taken before it has gained great headway. 

 This is particularly true of hog cholera, which is one of the most 

 infectious of the animal maladies. The common impression among 

 farmers and many veterinarians is that hog cholera presents a 



