62 DISEASE AMONG SWINE AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



ing from six mouths to two years of age. It seems to be contagions, and prevails at 

 all seasons of the year. It is usually more fatal to older stock, as about 10 per ceut. of 

 those afiected die, and those that do not are rendered comparatively worthless. 



The cattle in this couuty, all along the line of the great thoroughfares, are subject to 

 attacks of the Texas cattle fever. In this county we are anuually subjected to it. Then 

 we have the disease known as black leg, which is virtually a blood disease. It affects 

 young stock priucipallj', mostly calves from three mouths to one year old, and is very 

 rapid in its course. The calf frequently dies within thirty-six hours after the first 

 symptoms of the disease are observed. On skiuning the animal, all the blood vessels 

 of the legs and neck are usually found clotted and gorged with black blood. So far 

 no remedies have been found. In certain localities in the county it is more virulent 

 and fatal than in others. When a lot of stock is attacked it usually goes through the 

 whole herd. It is very fatal, and I regard it as contagious. Perhaps 6 per cent, of the 

 young stock of the neighborhood die of it. Usually the calves that are iu best condi- 

 tion die first; thin ones are rarely attacked. 



Another troublesome aud growing disease is that of abortion in cows. The disease 

 is little understood — indeed its causes are a mystery to us all. I believe it to be a blood 

 disease, and under certain conditions contagious. When once started in a herd of cows, 

 let them be ever so healthy, it is ai>t to afiect them all. They lose their calves any- 

 where from three to seven months' time. Unless well cared for many of those affected 

 will die, or if they do not they will afterwards prove worthless as breeders. I have 

 tried, and seen tried by a great many others, various remedies, but all have proved 

 worthless. Changing from one pasture to another, aud separating the well from the 

 affected ones, will sometimes do good for a short season ; but the disease will usually 

 break out again, perhaps affecting cows that were previously exempt. The opinion 

 generally prevails that the disease is contagions. For the past two years I doubt if 10 

 per cent, would cover the annual losses fioni this malady. 



We annually lose at least 20 per cent, of all our hogs and pigs by a disease commonly 

 called hog cholera. Mauy diseases are classed under this head, and some of them are 

 no doubt the result of local causes, such as bad treatment, confinement in filthy aud ill- 

 ventilated buildings and pens, &c. Worms in the throat and intestines is one of the 

 symptoms of the so-called cholera. Many specifics are used, but no certain remedy has 

 as yet been found. Copperas, sulphur, charcoal, turpentine, asafetida, antimony, and 

 mauy other drugs have been tried, but usually without satisfactory results. The dis- 

 ease is certainlj' contagious, and one of the best preventives is to separate at once 

 the sick from the well hogs, and divide the well ones up into small herds. A change 

 of feed from com to oats, bran, «fec., will also be fouud beneficial. 



Mr. G. W. Baldock, Charlestowu, Clarke County, ludiana, says : 



The diseanse known here as hog cholera seems to prevail all over the hog-growing 

 country. It prevails as an epidemic in this neighborhood and county. Mr. David Lutz 

 recently lost one hundred aud twenty-three head ; Mr. Isaac Koons two hundred head ; 

 Mr. Floyd Ogdeu, two hundred head ; Mr. Samuel Lewmau, forty head ; Mr. G. B. Lutz, 

 50 head ; Mr. John King, 50 head : Mr. David King, 35 head ; the writer, 50 head ; and 

 so on throughout the entire neighborhood. All diseases affecting swine are erroneously 

 classed under one head — that of cholera. My hogs were afflicted with what I consid- 

 ered a lung disease, the symptoms of which were about as follows : The animal became 

 very stupid, and lost its desire for food. It would mince slightly of its food, but would 

 swallow but very little. Some of them would cough a great deal aud others but little, 

 while still a few others would not cough at all. Although the coughing showed the 

 presence of disease, I did not consider it one of the leading symptoms. After the dis- 

 ease becomes fully deveh)ped they become constipated, and the faeces hard and very 

 offensive. Thej"^ nest around and seem to want to sleep all the time ; eat nothing and 

 soon die. There is no known specific remedy for this disease, be it what it may. As a 

 remedy I tried sulphur and copperas, wood ashes, aud soft soap. These things seemed 

 to give the well hogs a fine appetite. I gave one shoat a half pint of castor oil, which 

 purged it freely and it recovered. As soon as I commenced feeding the above ingredi- 

 ents I had no more sick hogs. Perhaps some of them may prove a j)reventive, but I am 

 sure neither of them can be regarded as a remedy. 



My wife has lost a great many fowls by cholera. We tried many supposed remedies, 

 but without avail. 



My neighbor, Mr. A. J. Crum, lost eleven head of cattle this summer by an unknown 

 disease. They would froth at the mouth, quit eating, and soon die. He tried no 

 remedy. 



Mr. James E. Foster, Browustown, Fayette County, Illinois, says : 



While we have lost heavily the past season with hog cholera, still I do not feel com- 

 petent to give an intelligent diagnosis of thp disease. I think there are two or three 



