TREATMENT OF CHOLERA 255 



The matter of public stock-yards also again recalls the need 

 for disinfection of cholera-infected cars. If the hog-raising com- 

 munities of this country are to be properly protected against the 

 spread of cholera, it is absolutely necessary that some action be 

 taken in the matter of careful and thorough disinfection of all 

 cars used in the handUng of hogs. Every railroad car which is 

 used for the purpose of shipping hogs should be subjected to a 

 thorough cleaning and proper disinfection before being allowed 

 for use again in shipment of live stock of any kind. The danger is 

 almost equally great whether the car be used for the purpose of 

 reshipment of hogs or for the shipment of sheep, cattle, or other 

 live stock which are being taken back to the farms where they will 

 come in contact with healthy hogs. The virus of cholera is very 

 easily carried and can be carried with almost equal ease by cattle 

 or sheep, as well as by hogs themselves. 



Hauling of Hogs to Market. — In connection with the shipment 

 of hogs out of cholera-infected districts we must take up a con- 

 sideration of another source of danger which is often overlooked 

 and which holds extremely large chances for possible harm. 



In the hog-raising districts, when there is an outbreak of a dis- 

 ease on any farm which resembles cholera, it is a common practice 

 to load up all animals which are suitable for sale and ship them 

 immediately to market for the purpose of cutting down the loss to 

 as small a figure as possible. This, too, by the way, is one of the 

 reasons for the dwindling of the hog-raising industry, and is one 

 of the sources of indirect loss from hog-cholera which is often over- 

 looked when estimating actual losses from the disease. This ship- 

 ment of young animals to the slaughtering centers is a very impor- 

 tant reason for cutting down the actual number of hogs in the fol- 

 lowing year. 



On such occasions as these it is customary for the neighbors of 

 the stricken farmer to send a team and wagon and a man or two 

 to assist in hauling the animals to market. Now this is a most 

 praiseworthy, brotherly spirit, and is one of the many things that 

 tend to the development of a much closer bond of fellowship in the 

 farm communities than exists in our large cities, where your next- 

 door neighbor would not turn his hand over for you, as a rule, unless 

 he is to be paid for doing so in real money. 



