1 280 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPI.ETE STOCK IKKTrOR. 



Swine plague Is caused by a specific microbe (an invisible germ) mal- 

 tiplying in the body of the diseased animal. The microbe probably be- 

 longs to the genus bacterium (a filamentous organism not yet defimtely 

 known as belonging to the vegetable or animal kingdom, but apparently 

 having distinct power of motion). 



When introduced beneath the skin this bacterium is fatal to pigs, rab- 

 bits, guinea-pigs, mico, and a certain percentage of pigeons, it is more 

 than piohahle that cattle inoculated with the virus of swine plague will 

 come down with a disease that has been mistaken for contagious pleuro- 

 pneumonia, but it is not communicated to other animals. It is also fa- 

 tal to pigs when introduced with the food, or when they feed on the in- 

 ternal organs of swine which have died of the disease. 



It is worthy to be remembered that the disease described in France as 

 Rouget, and in Germany as Rothlauf, and for which Pasteur has pre- 

 pared a vaccine, is caused l)y an entirely different microhe. The vaccine 

 for this disease does not protect against swine plague. The introduc- 

 tion of . Pasteur's vaccine is not only useless but may contribute to the 

 introduction and spread of a disease, the existence of which in this 

 country has not yet been demonstrated. 



During the last two years, 1897-98, the Bureau of Animal Industry has 

 been experimenting with the serum treatment, both as a cure and preven- 

 tive, in Pope County, Iowa, with the result that about 23.16 per cent, of 

 infected hogs died, showing a recovery of 76. 84 per cent. In a correspond- 

 ing number of hogs in other herds not treated the loss was 84. 24 per cent. 

 This is a remarkably strong showing in favor of the serum treatment. 

 This serum can be got from the Department of Agrichlture at Washington, 

 D. C. It can be applied by any up-to-date veterinarian. 



The value of this treatment can be figured from the loss in Iowa alone 

 lastyear of $15,000,000. 



Full particulars of the experiments with this serum are found in Bulletin 

 No. 23, United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal In- 

 dustry, 1899. 



Jlog Cholera (1911): — It is yet the great question among breedei's 

 of hogs. It is well established that he who provides comfortable quarters 

 for his hogs, keeps their surroundings clean by a regular program of re- 

 moval of filth and disinfecting where they eat, sleep and wallo^v, with a 

 cHDnstant lookout for lice and providin.s; for such food as the system' re- 

 quires, need have little fear of that droad disease. 



Experts are in hot pursuit of the cholera bacillus and as a result are 

 rapidly perfecting a serum that is an anti-toxine against hog cholera and 

 will no doubt control that disease as effectually as they do black le^ in 

 cattle. 



