30 



FARMERS^ BULLETIN 874. 



of their ration. As tuberculosis of hogs is chiefly contracted through 

 eating infected feed, the inipoitance of this statement is obvious. 



Tuberculosis of hogs is closely associated with the same disease in 

 cattle, the reason being apparent when one considers the close rela- 

 tions of these iwh species of animals upon nearly every farm.^ Tuber- 

 culous cattle may scatter great numbers of tubercle bacilli with their 

 excrement; cows that are tuberculous may produce contaminated 

 milk that is subsequently fed to pigs; and carcasses of cattle that 

 have died from tuberculosis are sometimes eaten by hogs. Any of 

 these conditions make the infection with tuberculosis of the ho^s 

 concerned a very easy matter. 



The feeding of hogs upon creamery refuse is also a very frequent 

 source of infection. In this way the milk of a single cow with a 

 tuberculous udder, if sent to a public creamery, may spread the dis- 

 ease to a number ot hogs, and may also infect many farms that have 

 never previously been contaminated with tuberculosis. 



An equally dangerous source of infection is likewise observed in 

 the methods which obtain among some of the small country slaughter- 

 houses.. It is not unusual for these houses to get rid of their blood, 

 intestines, viscera, and other inedible parts by feeding them to hogs, 

 a herd of which is usually kept on the premises. This custom is 

 pregnant with danger and serves to perpetuate the infectious prin- 

 ciple of various contagious and parasitic diseases, particularly 

 tuberculosis. 



Hogs are also susceptible to tuberculous infection from affected 

 persons and poultry, but these sources are undoubtedly of far less 

 moment to the hog owner than those existing in a herd of tuber- 

 culous cattle. 



Intestinal worms, lung worms, and skin parasites also levy a 

 burdensome tax upon the profits of hog raising. Absolute cleanliness 

 will be found valuable in preventing and controlling these parasitic 

 troubles, as well as the more serious diseases — hog cholera and 

 tuberculosis. 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



In dealing with the diseases of hogs, preventive measures must be 

 most relied upon. The animals must be given dry and well-venti- 

 lated quarters, which must be kept clean. Contrary to common 

 belief, hogs have some habits which raise them above other domestic 

 animals from the standpoint of cleanliness. For example, unless 

 compelled to do so, a hog will not sleep in its own filth. If a part of 

 the floor of the pen is raised and kept well bedded with straw, while 

 the rest is not, all excrement will be left on the unbedded portion 

 of the floor and the bed itself will be always clean. 



» See Farmers' Bulletin 781, "Tuberculosis of Hogs." 



