USE OF SERUM IN HOG-CHOLERA 371 



be taken, to determine whether or not there is any evidence of 

 commencing cholera. This is done by introducing the swine 

 thermometer into the rectum. Normally, the temperature of a 

 hog will be found to be from about 102° to 103° F. As a result of 

 the excitement incident to catching and holding them, the reading 

 is more likely to be nearer 103° than below 102° F. If cholera be 

 present the thermometer will run high, and any case showing a 

 rise above 104° F. should be regarded as suspicious. In the cases 

 that show above 104° F. the serum alone should be given and 

 should be administered in large dose — even double that usually 

 advised for animals of the same weight. 



The animal having been caught, restrained, the skin cleaned 

 with a disinfectant solution and touched with iodin, and the tem- 

 perature taken, the next step is to estimate the dose of serum to be 

 administered. This is figured on the basis of live weight of the 

 animal. The average dose of serum used varies somewhat with 

 different practitioners, but in a general way the average dose 

 given is as follows : 



c.c. 



10- to 25-pound pigs 10 



25- to 50-pound shoats 15 



50- to 75-pound shoats 20 



75- to 100-pound shoats 25 



100- to 125-pound hogs 30 



125- to 150-pound hogs 35 



150- to 200-pound hogs 40 



200- to 250-pound hogs 50 



All hogs weighing over 250 pounds 60 



In those cases where a high temperature is present, indicating 

 the presence of an oncoming attack of cholera, it is a wise measure 

 to practically double this dose of serum. While the advocates of 

 the serum method of treatment do not claim any therapeutic 

 power for the serum, it is nevertheless proving to be of active aid 

 in this direction. In the United States Bureau of Animal Industry 

 experiments now being carried on reports of a most encouraging 

 nature are being received. In like manner, state and private in- 

 vestigators are finding that with the large dose of serum even 

 sick animals can be saved. This, of course, does not hold good in 

 all cases. Where the disease has got a good foothold, and the 



