CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF HOG CHOLERA 231 



it were to gain a firm foothold, those whose inter- 

 ests were threatened would demand its eradica- 

 tion and the veterinary profession in cooperation 

 with many breeders and in spite of the violent 

 opposition of a few would eradicate it. 



The first prerequisite, then, is a change on the 

 part of veterinarians, breeders and the public 

 from a passive to an active attitude toward hog 

 cholera. In expressing this view we must not be 

 understood as declaring our faith in a short and 

 intensified campaign against the disease, for the 

 methods that finally succeed will involve details 

 which must grow out of a continual process of 

 trial and adjustment ; but the start must be made, 

 the goal must be kept clearly in view, and con- 

 stant, active and unyielding pressure must be 

 brought to bear on the most obvious practices that 

 serve to perpetuate the disease. 



During the last four decades hog cholera has 

 caused in this country annual losses ranging be- 

 tween $13,000,000 and $200,000,000, killing annu- 

 ally an average of 66 out of every 1,000 hogs. 

 About once in each decade the disease becomes 

 greatly intensified and in 1887, 1897 and 1914, 

 respectively, the number of hogs killed by it rose 

 above 10 per cent of the country's entire swine 

 population. These are staggering losses, and 

 when one reflects that they will continue indefi- 

 nitely unless intelligent, organized efforts are 



