648 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

 HERDS NOT TREATED. 



Attention is called to the fact that the percentage of sterile sows is 

 greater in non-treated herds, and that the average number of pigs per 

 sow is lower. Theoretically, therefore, one could say that vaccination 

 is beneficial, but for the present let us at least assume that it is not 

 injurious. 



Does vaccination increase abortion among sows? is a very important 

 question, concerning which we have no complete statistics. It is easily 

 conceivable, however, that the simultaneous treatment may be followed 

 by such results, and whether or not it is responsible, it is charged, and 

 therefore this treatment is not recommended for pregnant sows, although 

 thousands have been successfully so treated. 



Reports on the use of state serum indicate that in 76 per cent of the 

 herds reported as healthy at the time of vaccination, showed no loss after 

 treatment. If the virus was properly handled, therefore, we may assume 

 that on these farms no infection was established, but there remains 24 

 per cent where there was some loss. These cannot be ignored, and there- 

 fore the virus should be kept in the hands of those who have been trained 

 to use it. This question is more pertinent at a time when cholera is less 

 prevalent, and will therefore deserve close attention in the immediate 

 future. Trained men should be kept in different districts of the state, to 

 supervise the work in their respective districts. 



What can be done by co-operation and education is indicated by the 

 report of W. A. Posey, county agricultural agent for Clay county. There 

 had never been a hog in the county vaccinated with the double or simul- 

 taneous treatment. "A strenuous vaccination campaign was started, and 

 in six months, 566 herds, or 30,000 hogs were vaccinated. Clay county 

 lost 20 per cent less than the average of the eight counties bordering or 

 cornering on Clay county. This 20 per cent amounted to more than 

 $150,000." 



The state laboratory has made over 9,000,000 cubic centimeters, or 

 enough serum to protect 300,000 hogs, worth approximately $3,000,000. 

 This is quite easily estimated, but the benefits derived, if there be any, 

 from a supervision of the distribution of virus as well as to determine 

 so far as lies within our power, that every person using virus should 

 know how to use it intelligently, combined with frequent testing of 

 samples of commercial serum, especially when it seemed necessary, cannot 

 be easily calculated. 



