278 DISEASES OF SWINE 



two boys were engaged in digging a grave in which to bury a num- 

 ber of dead hogs which had been gathered up that morning. 



This method of spread of cholera is easily avoided if we will 

 but follow a few ordinary precautions. Threshing should not be 

 done in the feed lots. Not only does this expose every member 

 of the crew to the danger of carrying home cholera infection to his 

 own herd, but there is also another good reason, in that it is not 

 healthy for your own animals to allow them to burrow around a 

 straw stack during the winter. It will result in their having a 

 cough all winter, which will so lower their vitality as to make them 

 easy victims for any infectious disease that may happen to make 

 its appearance. 



Another precaution, which we can all very easily observe, is 

 to thoroughly wash off our boots or shoes before leaving any strange 

 premises, and especially so if we have been working around the 

 feed lots or if we know that there are sick hogs on the place. In 

 case there is cholera on the place, keep away from the feed lots and 

 do not unnecessarily expose yourself to the danger of carrying 

 infection to your own animals. 



I remember, while in Missouri last summer, of visiting a farm 

 on one occasion where there were several hogs sick with cholera. 

 There was a corn-shelling crew working on the place this same 

 morning, and a number of men, while waiting for their turn to 

 load their wagons, were spending the time in examining the sick 

 animals and walking about the pens. These men were all in- 

 structed to thoroughly wash their shoes or boots in a strong solu- 

 tion of the liquor cresoUs compound, described on a preceding page, 

 before leaving the premises. This was done, and we had no out- 

 breaks that could be traced to this source. But for the prompt 

 action taken here to prevent carrying away of the infection we 

 might soon have had a widespread scattering of the disease 

 throughout the entire district through infectious material which 

 these men would have unknowingly carried home to their own 

 feed lots. 



As to cleaning of boots and shoes in a case of this kind, it is 

 always preferable, of course, where possible, to use some good anti- 

 septic substance, such as the liquor cresolis compound, which 

 appears to be especially effective in destroying the virus of hog- 



