184 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



semination of the disease, but if we would destroy the 

 carcasses of hogs that die from cholera this source of 

 possible infection would cease to a large extent. Above 

 all, a healthy herd is not nearly so apt to become 

 infected with cholera as an unhealthy one. We should, 

 therefore, keep our hogs healthy and free from worms. 

 If cholera is in the immediate community, or if the herd 

 has had a good chance for infection, an experienced per- 

 son should vaccinate the herd with serum. Good hog 

 cholera serum properly used is a sure preventive of hog 

 cholera. The use of serum as a preventive is to be 

 recommended above all others. Losses from hog cholera 

 can be eliminated by keeping the herd immuned, but under 

 ordinary conditions this is not an advisable practice. 



When a herd becomes infected quack remedies and 

 medicines should be avoided. A competent veterinarian 

 should be called in. If the disease is cholera, all healthy 

 hogs ready for the market should be marketed at once 

 where permissible by law. Sick animals should be iso- 

 lated at once from the herd. Dead hogs should be burned 

 and all rubbish cleaned up, houses and nests should be 

 closed until disinfected, and wallows should be filled up 

 or drained. Quicklime should be used on all places 

 known to be infected. If cholera is present provision 

 should be made at once to inoculate all animals in the 

 herd, both sick and well. The serum is given to the well 

 to prevent them from having the disease and to the sick 

 to effect a cure, which it will do in many cases where the 

 disease is not too far advanced. Experience has shown 

 that serum has some curative properties, and an experi- 

 enced person can generally tell when it is advisable to 

 give it to a sick hog. 



