284 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



year, nearly simultaneously breaking out in herds that had not been mixed with 

 those affected. It seems to be rather epidemic than contagious. Some are inclined 

 to the opinion that the disease was brought in by importing Berkshires and other 

 improved stock. It is believed by others that it is produced by feeding rich, stim- 

 ulating, dry food. It is generally more prevalent during good mast years, when 

 the tannic acid in the acorns may constipate the lower bowels and thus get up in- 

 flammation of the stomach. But we know but little about it. 



LINCOLN. The disease known as hog cholera first appeared in this county about 

 the year 1859 or 1860, and was very fatal, very few recovering. From that time 

 to the present it has never been eradicated. For several years there were very 

 slight losses, but in this (1887) it has been very fatal. The old gravel-rooter suffered 

 as much as any other breed. I can not learn how it was introduced. Hogs previ- 

 ous to that time were very healthy. The lung fever or murrain prevails among 

 cattle; losses sometimes heavy. It is believed to be spread by cattle from the South. 

 Horses and mules healthy no contagious disease for years. 



MACON. Hog cholera made its first appearance in this county about thirty years 

 ago. Hogs were healthy previous to that time. As to how the disease was intro- 

 duced into the county is unknown. The disease has generally prevailed more es- 

 pecially after a crop of oak mast, but it prevails also very bad in localities where 

 no mast exists. Some years, upon examination of the intestines of hogs which 

 died with so-called cholera, they were found to be full of small, white worms, to the 

 amount of thousands. 



McMiNN. As near as I can learn the first case of cholera appeared among hogs 

 in this county about 1858. Previous to that time they were healthy. 



McNAiRY. From the best information I can gather the appearance of hog chol- 

 era in this county dates back to about the year 1856; I do not know how it was in- 

 troduced; I think hogs were pretty generally healthy before that time. 



MADISON, We have had no real hog cholera in this county for some time past. 

 When hogs die it is generally said they die of cholera, but if examined closely it 

 will be found that they are infested with lice. People take so little care of their 

 hogs that they let them get mangy, when they die and they say they die of cholera. 



MARION. The year 1847 is about the first I remember of what is called hog chol- 

 era. My opinion is that the disease or trouble with hogs is occasioned by a living 

 germ or parasite. I never knew hogs to be sick with this complaint that were not 

 covered with lice. But few get well. Preventive remedies are the best; sulphur, 

 copperas, salt, and unleached' ashes mixed and kept where the hogs have free ac- 

 cess is about the best remedy we have. The condition of the live-stock in our 

 county is good. Some cholera exists among hogs. 



MARSHALL. The disease that is usually called hog cholera made its first appear- 

 ance in this section in 1865. In 1862 a contagious disease had destroyed large num- 

 bers of hogs. It was called cholera, but incorrectly. It was really quinsy, an 

 affection of the throat and bronchial organs, and was in its nature and effect very 

 similar to diphtheria in the human being. There was neither vomiting nor purging, 

 one or both of which is sure to result from genuine hog cholera. Since then every 

 time a man loses a lot of hogs, even though they may have died from lice, lying in 

 old straw-piles where clover hay has been thrashed for seed, in old dusty stables 

 or other dusty beds, etc., or from kidney disease, or even from starvation, the hog 

 cholera is credited with having killed them. As to whence it came, or the means 

 of its introduction, I am unable to inform you. Prior to the quinsy epidemic of 

 1862 hogs were generally very healthy here. 



MORGAN. Hog cholera made its appearance in this county about the year 1858, 

 in a very virulent form. Since that it has been raging every year. It seems more 

 destructive every succeeding year, and is generally worse after a mast year. No 

 remedy has been found for the disease. 



MONTGOMERY. How long hog cholera has been with us I can not now recollect. 

 I distinctly remember its first appearance here. It was more fatal then than now; 

 it left but few hogs in the flock. It cleaned me out, I know. I can not give dates, 

 but I feel sure it was in the forties perhaps between 1845 and 1850. I never knew 

 of hogs having any disease before the cholera struck them. How it got among our 

 hogs I never knew; it appeared to strike them like Asiatic cholera strikes man. We 

 know of no remedy for it. 



MOORE. The exact time when hog cholera made its appearance in this county I 

 do not remember. I think it was in the year 1866. I find that the hogs die in 

 greater numbers at distilleries than on farms. I have a neighbor who pays much 

 attention to his hogs. He gives them every week what lye soap-suds they can 

 drink. He is careful to save all the suds on washing days for his hogs. He says 

 since he has adopted this rule he has not had a case of hog cholera. He commenced 

 this about ten years ago. The disease prevails here every year. Our county has suf- 



