22 DISEASE AMONG SWINE AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



left without enough for his own family supply. The disease presents so many different 

 phases as to prevent me, with the little iuvestiffation I have given it, from attempting 

 a complete diagnosis. A drooping of the head, loss of appetite, and an indisposition 

 to move are among the first symptoms noticed. Sometimes there is a running off at the 

 bowels, and sometimes constipation prevails; sometimes they die in a few days, and 

 then again they may linger for weeks. I confess I do not understand either the pathol- 

 ogy or the workings of the disease. As to the cures recommended, they are numerous, 

 and generally based not upon a scientific analysis of the remedies prescribed but upon 

 the vague conceit of the party recommending them ; and then, again, all the different 

 remedies in turn have proved failures. If Congress would do anything to throw light 

 on this subject, and especially if a specific could bo found, it would i>rove of incalcu- 

 lable benefit to the whole country. 



I have used, and I have thought with some benefit, alum and Venetian red — alum as 

 an astringent and Venetian red as an absorbent. During the past summer, I have used 

 poke-root, given in slop, in such doses as to secure its alterative effects, and as a pre- 

 ventive rather than a cure. From its known effect as a preventive in other diseases I 

 have no doubt as to its beneficial effects in this. 



Mr. W. W. WooDYAED, Morristown, Shelby County, Indiana, says : 



We have no disease aftectiug farm-animals in our locality, except cholera among 

 hogs, or a disease making its appearance in many different forms, called cholera. In 

 some cases the pig, when quite young, will become affected about the eyes, and partial 

 or total blindness will follow in a few days. A high state of inflammation about the 

 mouth and throat next makes its appearance. Perhaps 90 per cent, of such cases will 

 prove fatal in from six to ten days. 



In other cases the hog, at a greater age, will first show signs of inflammation about 

 the ears and neck, the ears becoming sore, with a yellowish mucus making its appear- 

 ance about the root of the ear. Very few of those attacked in this manner recover. 

 Some will simply show a sleepy, sluggish appearance, refuse to eat, and usually die in 

 from twelve to twenty-four hours. 



Many remedies have been used, but the best informed men will say, almost unani- 

 mously, without the least benefit whatever. The disease is prevailing to a fearful ex- 

 tent in some localities at this time. The president of the First National Bank at Rush- 

 ville, Ind., who has large opportunities of knowing, says that Rush County alone will 

 lose |500,000 by this disease the present year. Our own county will perhaps be equally 

 as heavy a loser. 



Mr. James Ferguson, Ashborough, Clay County, Indiana, says: 



For fifteen years, at intervals, what is known as hog-cholera has been very de- 

 structive among this class of farm-animals here. Personally, 1 have had but little ex- 

 perience with it. In some the symptoms are refusal of food, stupor, apparently neai'ly 

 deaf and blind, constipation, and death within from one to five days. Others have 

 vomiting and lax evacuations, of which seven-tenths die soon. 



Of the cause of the disease I know nothing certain, nor have I heard a rational 

 theory from our farmers. Various drugs are administered as long as the hog survives 

 the disease and the doctoring. I know of no reliable remedy. 



Apparently it is safe to assume that worms, and, possil)ly, other parasites on the 

 digestive oigans are the cause of most hog diseases. Hogs that have frequent doses ot 

 sulphur, copperas, turpentine, and arsenic, with free access to wood-ashes and charcoal, 

 are usually healthy, and almost exempt from cholera. 



Chicken-cholera is not unknown among us, but I think its cause and remedy are 

 alike unknown in this locality. 



Mr. Lewis J. Eeyman, Salem, Washington County, Indiana, says : 



We have no prevailing disease among farm-stock in this couuty, except hog and 

 chicken cholera, which has prevailed for quite a number of years, and is prevailing to 

 some extent at this time. Two years ago this fall I turned thirty-five hogs of my own 

 raising in a corn-field, and they fattened very fast for about three weeks. About this 

 time I bought twelve head that were raised on low, wet, river-bottom land, about 

 twelve miles from my own land. In a few days some of them were attacked with 

 cholera, and two died. In a few more days those of my own raising took the disease, 

 and nine of them died. The balance lost flesh for a time, but gradu.ally recovered. I 

 fed them sulphur and ashes, calomel, May-apple root, and a number of other remedies 

 recommended. 



There are various symptoms of the disease. In some instances they vomit and purge, 

 and in others their lungs seem to be affected, and they are constipated. When the 



