REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 251 



among all breeds and crosses all over the county . I have put myself to some trouble 

 to learn if any particular breed was more exempt than another, and I find that the 

 Essex with its crossings is more exempt than other breeds. 



PERRY. I can give no further information on this subject than 'has frequently 

 been given from various sources. The disease of hog cholera made its appearance 

 here in 1865-'66. Previous to that tune it was unknown, and hogs were compara- 

 tively free from disease. It is not known how the disease originated. We raise 

 hogs almost exclusively in the woods (on the range). I believe many die from 

 starvation, which is attributed to cholera by those losing them. The cholera is 

 more common in the spring months when hogs can get but little sustenance, and 

 they get quite poor, A farmer who gives his hogs proper attention salt, feed, 

 etc. , does not have them afflicted with the cholera to the extent of those who 

 neglect them. But we have such disease as cholera and it is very fatal. They are 

 affected in the lungs or bowels, and frequently in both, accompanied with cough 

 and high fever. Coal-oil and spirits of turpentine in teaspoonful dose with salt 

 and ashes (hickory or oak) will cure in many cases. I lose only one-half when it 

 visits mine. I follow above treatment. When one exhibits symptoms, he should 

 immediately be removed from the well ones. Very few farmers or stock raisers 

 feed their stock during the winter. Disease is quite unusual with cattle, but they 

 become quite poor in flesh about 1st of March, and a large portion that die may be 

 said to have starved to death. Farmers who winter their cattle by providing feed and 

 shelter lose but a small proportion, and they increase quite rapidly. We have 

 mostly the scrub, and to give an idea of their size, a good fat beef cow will weigh 

 only 250 pounds. We have had scarcely any cholera this year, which will account 

 for the loss of so few hogs. 



PIKE. Hog cholera first made its appearance here in 1856, but not until 1862 was 

 it considered as an epidemic. It has prevailed to a greater or less extent ever since. 

 Hogs were always very healthy previous to the appearance of cholera. 



RANKIN. All my assistants report that nothing in the way of disease that could 

 be called an epidemic has occurred among domestic animals in this county for the 

 last year. As to cholera among the hogs, we frequently have what is called 

 cholera, but I am inclined to believe that it is nothing but prostration, occasioned 

 by lice, fleas, and ticks, that get on the hogs in summer in such numbers as to sap 

 their vital energy. We never hear of hog cholera in the winter. 



TIPPAH. Hog cholera is a thoracic complaint, bacterian in its nature, and Asiatic in 

 its origin. By well-supported tradition the disease was unknown until 1856, when 

 sorghum was introduced into this country. Simultaneously hogs were stricken down, 

 and oats and blackberry leaves took the run as remedies. As a preventive, the 

 hogs should be kept to themselves in a pasture and allowed to sleep in brick vaults, 

 to be heated periodically like a baker's oven. The most potent remedy is tobacco, 

 and the next best is soft soap. On two occasions I have humbly presented this 

 view to the Department, but it has never vouchsafed me a recognition. For horses, 

 cattle, and sheep I would impress upon the Department the importance of the use 

 of Jerusalem oak, weeds, sassafras twigs, and the sawdust and planing chips of 

 sassafras logs. I find that in pasturing there is a great dearth of vegetation of a 

 medicinal character instructively sought as remedial agents. The further we re- 

 move from the natural channels of nature, diseases multiply in proportion. 



TISHOMINGO. About every three years hog cholera comes from the east and 

 goes westward. It is spread by contact and by drinking water from streams in 

 which the virus is floating. It generally remains about one hundred days, and 

 usually destroys about one-half of the number of animals. Complete isolation 

 prevents the spreading of the disease. Blooded hogs would seem the most sus- 

 ceptible. 



WILKINSON. We had a disease called hog cholera to pass through here two years 

 ago, which cleaned us out. Hogs have been healthy since, as they were before. 

 There has been some pink-eye among horses this year, but I have not heard of any 

 fatality. Some bloody murrain among cattle, as well as " hollow-horn," but hol- 

 low-stomach mostly. Dogs have about abolished the sheep business. Can not sell 

 sheep for more than $1 per head. 



WINSTON. There has been a disease among hogs for many years here, known as 

 hog cholera, though in a limited degree. I have heard of none this year. I have 

 heard of no disease this year among horses, cattle, sheep, or hogs. I know not what 

 year hog cholera first made its appearance in this county. It has prevailed to a 

 limited extent, I would say, some eighteen or twenty years. I know not how it was 

 introduced into the county. I and others have been successful in checking the dis- 

 ease, when it had made its appearance, by feeding the hogs on burnt com. Others 

 use sulphur, copperas, etc. 



