318 DISEASES OF SWINE 



unfortunately, also attracted a large number of dishonest men, who 

 were brought into the field merely because it offered a chance to 

 pick up some easy money. These men were of the same type and 

 character as those who had already mulcted the farmer for hun- 

 dreds of thousands of dollars for worthless hog-cholera remedies, 

 and who now sought to add to their ill-gotten gains by supplying 

 a worthless serum. 



This could have only the one result. A large amount of serum 

 was rushed on the market which was improperly and, in many 

 eases, carelessly made. This worthless stuff was in many cases of- 

 fered at a much lower price than that asked for a high-grade serum. 

 Many stockmen, not realizing the importance of quality in the 

 product, were attracted by the lower prices and, as a result, treated 

 their herds with the low-grade serum. In such cases the outcome 

 was that they found they had spent their money for a product which 

 was as valueless as the other hog-cholera "cures" they had pre- 

 viously used. These men at once came to the conclusion that hog- 

 cholera serum was of no value, and they became opposed to the 

 treatment. 



Officials of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry and 

 the heads of the agricultural department of the various states were 

 convinced that the serum was all right, and that its use was founded 

 upon a firm scientific basis. They were undismayed by the unfa- 

 vorable reports that began to pour in from all parts of the country 

 following the use of the improperly prepared serum. They worked 

 only the harder to perfect the methods of manufacture and admin- 

 istration of the serum, and the value of their untiring efforts is to be 

 seen to-day in the ever-increasing number of men who report 

 success in the use of hog-cholera serum. There can be no longer 

 any question of the sound foundation of this method of treatment, 

 and it only remains to develop practical plans for carrying on the 

 campaign against cholera in such a manner as will ensure its eradi- 

 cation in the shortest possible period of time. 



During the session of the United States Congress in the winter 

 of 1912 and 1913 an appropriation of $75,000 was made for the 

 purpose of carrying on public demonstrations of the value of hog- 

 cholera serum as a method for treating hog-cholera. This work was 

 commenced on the first of July, 1913, and was the first real exten- 



