DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 745 



and ulceration. Insensibility precedes death from three to six hours. The 

 malady sometimes appears in less fatal forms, accompanied by colored skin 

 and loss of appetite for a few days, when recovery follows; but this is uncom- 

 mon. On post mortem (after death) examination the appearance of rapid 

 decomposition is manifest, and all the tissues seemed transfused with blood. 



Treatment. — " After diarrhoea sets in death is almost certain. Before that 

 event, administer quickly — by means of a drenching-horn or long-necked 

 bottle, and, if the pig is large, tying him to a post with a rope around his 

 upper jaw — Epsom salts, 2 to 4 oz. ; sulphur, 2 to 6 drs.; gentian and ginirer 

 (powdered), 1 to 2 drs. ; molasses, 2 to 3 table-spoonfuls; gin, % pt. Clean bed 

 ding and comfortable pens, with light diet of vegetable food, are required. A 

 free run in a bare pasture or lane is a great help. In this, as in all other sick 

 ness, when possible, prevention is the best treatment, and simply consists ii 

 careful feeding, plenty of vegetable food, cleanliness and exercise." 



Eemarks.—Oi course, the "exercise" he refers to can only mean a large 

 run— plenty of room; still I do not see that he will move about much in this 

 condition. The room, or "exercise " should have been provided before this. 



6. Hog Cholera— Reports to the State Board of Agricul- 

 ture of Illinois, with Preventive.— The State Board of Agriculture, of 

 Illinois, a short time since, sent out to the various swine-breeders of the State 

 a series of questions to obtain all possible knowledge as to the cause and the 

 best known remedies. The answers were in accordance, or agreeing generally 

 with the ideas as given above. No positive cure was claimed to be known. 

 Preventives, by care, removing sick ones from the herd, etc. , were the leading 

 recommendations I will quote from only two or three of them; the first, 

 because he claims exemption of his Berkshires; the second, because he gives a 

 preventive in the line of medicines ; and the last, because his herd escaped the 

 disease by " good feeding and keeping, and giving plenty of salt." 



I. The first was from George iL Caldwell, a breeder of Berkshires, of 

 Carlinville. He says: 



" I am satisfied that the Cholera is owing to the sudden transition from a 

 laborious, half-starved condition to one of high feed ; and so convinced am I 

 that, while I have a pig, I intend to feed him liberally until sold. During the 

 last three years my best Berkshires were running by the side of the diseased 

 stock, and some of the older sows with them nearly all the time. I have 

 always fed my young Berkshires, and have lost none of them. I do not ctm- 

 sider the disease contagious. My hogs died in the Branch, and some of my 

 neighbors' hogs, just below, on the same stream, were healthy, and all the 

 water they got was from the Branch. These hogs, however, were on clover, 

 and fed some corn all the season." 



Remarks. — Here you see strong reasons why this gentleman does not think 

 the disease is contagious. The other two believe it is contagious. 



H. The second is from Lemuel Milk, of Kankakee, who keeps on an 

 average 1,000 head of hogs. He reports: 



" My experience is, that the fat hogs are more liable to be attacked. 1 

 think that hogs having range of fields and woods are not so liable to be 

 affected. I believe the disease is contagious— have no doubt of it from my 

 experience and observation. I have used as a 



"Preventive of Hog Cholera.— Copperas, black antimony and fenu 

 greelc seed, each 5 lbs.; sulphur, 4 lbs., and saltpetre, 3 lbs " 



