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DISEASES OF SWINE AND OTHER ANIMALS. 531 
resulted in the successful inoculation of pigs with virus that had been 
kept for a month in dry wheat bran. In winter, on the other hand, the 
yard or other open and infected place may prove non-infecting for weeks 
and even months and yet retain the virus in readiness for a new and 
deadly course as soon as mild weather sets in. Safety under such cir- 
cumstances is contingent on a disuse of the premises solong as the frost 
continues, and for at least one month or more thereafter. Even during 
the continuance of frost such places are dangerous, as the heat.of the 
animal’s body or of the rays of the sun at midday may sufiice to set the 
virus free. 
* The following reports are submitted without further comment: 
REPORT OF DR. H. J. DETMERS, V. 8. 
Hon. Wm. G. LEDvc, 
~ Commissioner of Agriculture : 
Str: Having been appointed by you as one of the inspectors to make 
an investigation of the diseases prevailing among swine, I forwarded to 
you my written acceptance, immediately after I received my appoint- 
ment, on July 29, 1878, and took at once the necessary steps to obtain 
reliable information as to the localities where the disease of swine, 
known to the farmers as “‘hog-cholera,” was at that time prevailing. I 
made also such other preparations as I deemed necessary to successful 
investigation, and provided myself with a good Hartnack microscope, 
divers chemicals and medicines, a clinical thermometer, &c. Among 
all the places and localities at which the disease, as reported, was very 
frequent, I selected Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois, as afford- 
ing the greatest facilities for the intended investigation, or the most 
suitable basis for my operations, and repaired to that place on the 
second day of August. I found what I expected, i. e., numerous cases 
of disease in the vicinity of Champaign and Urbana, and offers of assist- 
ance by IF’. W. Prentice, M. D., and M. Rh. C. V. S., who is lecturer on vet- 
erinary science in the Illinois Industrial University at Urbana, and of 
Prof. T. J. Burrill, M. A., who is professor of botany and microscopist 
in the same institution. Dr. Prentice had even the kindness of offering 
to me, for experimenta! purposes, the free use of his veterinary infirmary 
buildings. Thatotfer, ofcourse, wasaccepted. Besides that, Dr. Prentice, 
who is a very able and well-educated veterinary surgeon, has assisted 
me otherwise very essentially in my work, and took charge of my ex- 
perimental animals whenever I was obliged to be absent for a short 
time. I am, therefore, very much indebted to him for his valuable help 
and kind assistanee.. Professor Burrill has assisted me in my microscop- 
ical examinations. 
Arrived at Champaign I made my plans as to the manner in which to 
proceed with my investigation. Knowing that an enemy can only be 
conquered by being well known, I determined to ascertain first the real 
nature of the disease I had to deal with. That accomplished, I pro- 
posed to direct my attention exclusively to investigating and ascertain- 
ing the causes, reasoning that, if the causes are known, it cannot be 
very difficult to devise proper and efficient means of prevention, and, 
perhaps, remedies that will effect a cure. At any rate, a knowledge of 
the causes of a disease affords not only a sound, but in fact the only 
