464 DISEASES OF SWINE 



very small pigs, does not give a permanent protection. The 

 proper treatment in the httle fellows is serum alone, this to be 

 followed a few weeks later by the double method. 



It is very pleasing to note that in the case of the animals which 

 received the double treatment and remained in the home herd 

 there was no loss whatever. The immunity given by the double 

 method of treatment which was used here several weeks before 

 gave a permanent protection. This is the great advantage offered 

 by the double method. Protection given by this method is life- 

 long, and no matter when the animal may be exposed to the 

 disease, there should be no loss if the treatment is given with a 

 powerful virus and a properly tested serum. 



It is interesting to note, in summing up this experiment, that 

 of the hogs treated by the serum-simultaneous method, only one 

 died, and this one undoubtedly died from some other cause than 

 cholera. Of the 12 untreated check shoats, 7 were lost. The 

 fact that 50 per cent, of the serum-treated sucking pigs were 

 saved goes to show that, even at this late date, there was still 

 some protective power remaining from the use of the serum alone. 



Careful consideration of this report also brings out another 

 point of interest, and answers another frequent question in con- 

 nection with the giving of the serum treatment, and especially 

 the giving of the double treatment. 



It will be noted that some of the treated sows gave birth to 

 litters of pigs after they had been treated. It has frequently been 

 argued that there is danger in giving the serum treatment, and 

 especially the simultaneous treatment, to pregnant sows, as they 

 are likely to abort. The results in the herd just described would 

 tend to disprove this assertion. 



Personally, I am of the opinion that there is absolutely no 

 danger in the administration of either the serum or the serum- 

 simultaneous methods of treatment in pregnant sows, provided 

 care is used in handling them not to cause too much straining, 

 bruising, or other rough handUng, which might result in causing 

 an abortion. As far as the action of the serum itself or the serum 

 and virus combined is concerned, I do not believe that they are in 

 any way likely to cause abortion. 



If careful investigation were made of a number of cases where 



