314 



DISEASES OF SWINE 



decline of over seven millions! This is a decrease of over 20 per 

 <;ent., and, had this enormous rate of decrease continued, the hog 

 industry would have been wiped out in the course of five more 

 years. 



This decrease is made the more remarkable when we consider 

 the fact that during the year 1910 the number of plants under 

 government inspection increased from 876 to 919, so that the total 

 decKne was even more marked than shown by the figures just given. 

 This is a fair example of how this disease is threatening to ruin the 

 swine industry of the United States. It is also a point worthy of 

 note that during this time the price of pork food products was 

 materially advanced, showing the effect of decreased supply and a 

 constantly increasing demand. It is, indeed, an important ques- 

 tion, well worthy of the best efforts of which our national and 

 state governments are capable. 



During the year 1911 the number of swine produced and sold 

 for slaughter showed a slight increase over the previous year, due 

 to the fact that many farmers and stockmen who had kept out of 

 the hog-raising industry the previous year were determined to try 

 another attempt after a year of empty hog lots. 



The antermortem and postmortem figures for the year 1911 

 are as follows: 



Antemortem Inspections of Animals, Fiscal Year 1911 



This shows an increase in the number of swine inspected of 

 over 2,000,000, but is only a small gain as compared with the 

 enormous loss of the previous year. Another notable fact about 

 this report is the falling off in the number of cattle, due, in large 



1 This term is used to designate animals found diseased or suspected of 

 being unfit for food on antemortem inspection, most of which are afterward 

 slaughtered under special supervision, the final disposition being determined 

 on postmortem inspection. 



