95 



than the fourth day nor later than the seventh day after inoculation, as this 

 is considered proof that all the pigs are susceptible to cholera and the virus 

 injected was sufficiently active to produce the disease. 



All serum produced under federal inspection must undergo this test. 

 Now, you hear considerable about one serum being better than the other, 

 and all that, but all that is manufactured under government supervision 

 undergoes exactly the same test, and there should be no difference in serums 

 that are manufactured under government supervision. 



No set rule can be formulated as to the most suitable time for treat- 

 ment. General condition of the herd, prevalence of cholera, size, weight and 

 other factors play important parts in determining the time of treatment. 

 As a general statement, it is safe to say that a herd should be treated 

 immediately upon the outbreak of cholera within it or where the disease 

 occurs upon neighboring farms. Hogs of any age or size may be treated. 

 Hogs showing physical evidence of cholera are rarely benefited by the use 

 of serum, while those in the initial stage of the disease often improve 

 markedly after its administration. 



SERUM OB VIBUS. 



Serum treatment is generally used in one of two ways either serum 

 alone or serum and virus simultaneously. 



Since anti-hog cholera serum is the blood of highly immunized hogs 

 capable of conferring immunity to susceptible animals, it will readily be 

 seen that the injection of serum alone can in no way produce the disease. 

 Unfortunately the duration of an. immunity resulting from serum only is 

 comparatively short, and the cost of treatment is virtually the same as 

 that of serum and virus simultaneously. The immunity conferred by the 

 use of serum and virus simultaneously is, if not permanent, at least of long 

 duration. This treatment, when properly applied in healthy herds, has 

 given most gratifying results and is the method generally used. 



The resistance of individual hogs varies greatly and can be accurately 

 judged by no one. Lice, intestinal parasites, other diseases, spoiled feed, 

 improper housing, etc., tend to lower the natural resistance of an animal, 

 and as a result he becomes more liable to disease. When serum and virus 

 are used under these circumstances, perfect results should not be expected. 



The results of treatment of swine are often influenced by the after care 

 of the herd. During the first ten days following treatment only moderately 

 light feed should be allowed. Thereafter they should be gradually returned 

 to the full grain ration. Pure water, clean quarters, exclusion from wallows 

 and stagnant ponds are always advisable. 



ESSENTIALS IN DISEASE CONTROL. 



The three fundamental essentials for the control of swine diseases are 

 vaccination, quarantine and sanitation. 



Vaccination Potent serum, virulent virus, properly administered in 

 sufficient dosage, are essential to insure a lasting immunity against hog 

 cholera. 



Quarantine, voluntary or involuntary, is necessary to prevent spread of 

 infection. 



Sanitation is both a preventive and a control measure. A good definition 

 for the word sanitation is, all that can be done to preserve health. It should 

 be the object of the owner to first prevent disease by the proper surround- 

 ings. Animals that are forced to live in unsanitary quarters, eat their food 

 from unsanitary troughs and contaminated ground, and drink polluted water 

 cannot thrive as well as those kept under favorable conditions. 



Germs retain their disease producing power for a long time in dark, 

 damp places; also, the eggs and larvae of internal worms and lice accumu- 

 late in the refuse and soil. 



Disinfection means the contact application of a germ or parasite 

 destroying agent. Such agents are effective only when applied directly to 

 the germ or parasite that is the cause of the disease. Many of the disin- 



