Mud and water (to wallow in) is necessary to the hog only when its blood is impure, producing a feverish itching of the skin (J. L. EDWARDS.)

Phelps.-There have been no contagious diseases among swine in this county to my knowledge during the past year.—(E. D. EINSEL.)

Our most successful hog-raisers use as a preventive for disease charcoal in large quantities, common salt and coal-tar, kept constantly in feed lots where the hogs can go to it at any time. They are also furnished with plenty of fresh, clean water.-(R. T. MCGREW.)

Platte.-Hogs are generally fed with or after cattle. I have heard of considerable sickness, generally among young shoats from small up to 150 pounds. Most of the large hogs that died were smothered by piling up in cold weather. We have given hyposulphate of soda as recommended by the United States veterinarians, and know of quite a number of others who have done so, but in our own herd we claim that the disease still exists. We had about 140 head of young hogs, out of which we have probably lost 40. The older hogs had a cough, but they did not die. We have brought in no hogs from outside Our herd runs in a large pasture with timber, where there is plenty of pure water and good comfortable sleeping quarters. They are mostly Berkshires crossed with Red, and are in very good condition. I think the greatest losses have occurred among young hogs all over the county, and with the same disease, though the symptoms differ. We have not separated our hogs or done anything for them.-(E. A. GERRARD.)

Red Willow. This county is in the western portion of the State almost on the frontier, and as yet the breeding of swine as an industry is in its infancy. From my own observation I can say that what few hogs we have are and have been free from disease. (J. W. DOLAN.)

Richardson.-During several months past there has existed a fatal disease called cholera among the hogs in the north and the northeastern part of the county. The losses have been heavy, amounting perhaps to hundreds of heads. The losses have fallen heavily on many, and the disease yet prevails.(F. M. WILLIAMS.)

Saline.-A disease pronounced cholera has prevailed extensively among hogs in this county. The losses from the disease will aggregate $50,000 or more.-(JAMES MCCREEDY.)

Sarpy. The general system of feeding in this county is corn and water, grass, and occasionally rye pasture In fattening hogs for market the principal feeding is corn with water. As a sanitary measure, I used Hesse's hog cholera preventive; also two or three drops of carbolic acid in a bucket of water-about eight quarts of water. Concentrated lye in water was also used. I used sulphur, saltpeter and flax-seed in equal parts, but none of these articles seemed to do any good. The sick hogs would generally lie together, and by this means I could tell when they were taken sick. The jaws of some of the animals would swell enormously, sometimes apparently to 50 pounds, in weight, but when cut open there did not appear to be anything in them.OWEN WARD.)

I have lost about 100 head of hogs by a disease which I consider contagious for the following (and similar) reasons: About a month after my hogs stopped dying I pur chased a hog from a neighbor, who lives about 2 miles from me. In about a week after I brought him home he began to show symptoms of the disease. In about two weeks I was satisfied he had it in good shape; and in about four weeks he was dead. The party from whom I purchased him has never lost a hog by disease. Feeding is done here strictly with dry corn. I notice that those who have saved their hogs are

those who feed plenty of milk and ground feed for fattening, and also to sows raising pigs. After the first symptoms some of the animals would die in two or three days, while others would last a month or more. Generally those in the best condition lasted the shortest time.-(J. GIDLEY.)

Various methods have been used to prevent the disease, but all to no purpose. No advantage seems to have been gained by any method of feeding. In some cases hogs running at large get along the best, but care counts for nothing.-(PATRICK DAWD.) It is my opinion if hogs had more exercise and less dry food there would not be so much sickness among them. Inclose them in a pasture, allowing at least a half acre to each hog. The pasture should contain a variety of grasses, such as clover, alfalfa, blue, and orchard grass. Some rye should also be sown for fall, winter, and spring feeding. In addition, give half the dry food required in a close pen. The hogs should have an abundant supply of pure spring or well water. In summer they should have high sheds to keep off the hot rays of the sun, and in winter they should have low, warm sheds, with dry straw for bedding. Commence feeding from the 1st to the 15th of August, and gradually increase the quantity each week, giving them plenty of salt and ashes, charcoal, &c., until the regular feed is established, and so continue until they are fattened.-(THOMAS WELCH.)

In 1884 I had 52 very nice hogs. They averaged in July from 150 to 300 pounds each. In May I had fenced in 15 acres of rye, which I had seeded to timothy and clover. So you see I had a good new range, with an abundance of clear, fresh water

from a well. I fed some corn twice a day. In July the animals were attacked with a disease commonly called cholera; but it was not cholera at all. The hogs were sick from one to three weeks. They were dull and drowsy; had no appetite and but little thirst; would be very costive for a few days, and this would be followed by black diarrhea and fever. The lungs in those I examined were very bad. I lost 20 out of 52 head. About the only thing I used was carbolic acid, which I fed in their swill. I also lost 61 out of 65 head of my spring pigs. The losses of many of my neighbors were much heavier than my own. The disease still lingers, and is taking off our stock of winter and spring pigs.-(J. D. SNELL.)

Seward.-Heretofore hogs in this State have not been afflicted with disease, and have always fattened easily and quickly; but for two years past our winters have been much colder, with more than the usual amount of dampness, and notwithstanding this our farmers have made no changes in their yards. I think this has had much to do in causing disease among these animals. I find that, as a general rule, those farmers who take good care of their stock do not lose much from disease. The range cattle have pneumonia from exposure, and I believe if examined closely hogs will be found to be diseased in the same way. Nearly every one here believes the disease among hogs to be cholera, but if it is the symptoms are very different from those manifested in Illinois and Iowa. -(C. M. TURNER.)

Many things in the shape of medicines and preventives have been used, but with little or no success. Hogs kept in a close, dry lot, fed dry corn, and given dirty or stagnant water to drink are the first attacked by the disease, while those which get clear cold water and a change of feed, and especially those which run on pasture and get plenty of green feed in its season are generally the last to be attacked. When a herd of hogs first show symptoms of the disease, if the well ones be separated from the sick and removed some distance to a new lot on clean ground, the disease will be arrested. Sometimes not another hog will die. If not separated and allowed to remain in the old filthy lot, often not one will be left to tell the fearful story.-(J. W. FIGARD.) Valley. We have never had diseases among our hogs in this county. This is a healthy locality for both hogs and cattle.-(J. E. HALE.)

Washington. Neither care nor treatment seem to have much to do with our hog disease. A great many of these animals are raised by following cattle and picking up the droppings. This is considered the very best of food. Others are kept on good, clean pastures, with pure running water, yet all seem to die alike. Different parties have tried all kinds of drugs, but all to no purpose. I have never yet heard of any certain preventive or cure. The disease is chiefly confined to young hogs. Old sows and large hogs are not so liable to contract the malady.-(J. S. STEWART.)

Wheeler. So far as I have been able to learn, the hogs in this county were not visited with any contagious disease in 1884.-(R. L. STAPLE.)

York. I generally keep from 100 to 300 head of hogs, and have never yet lost any by disease. I use carbolic acid freely; 5 per cent. of acid to 95 per cent. of water. This I sprinkle around the pens and sleeping places, and once a week I give the following mixture: Five pounds each of copperas, sulphur, salts, and saltpeter; 1 pound of blood-root, pound of black antimony, and 1 bushel each of salt and ashes. This I mix and feed dry. It will be found sufficient for 200 head. This is my preventive, and all who have used it report good success. I think feeding soaked corn, or cornmeal soaked the best feed, but to change from corn to oats and barley is very good. I notice that thoroughbred stock is less liable to disease. If hogs are kept loose in their bowels and free from worms they will be less liable to attack. I regard worms as the primary cause for all diseases in swine.-(H. W. FAY.)

Soft coal, copperas, and rosin seem to act as preventives. Turpentine administered in their feed seems to act both as a preventive and cure of swine disease. Kerosene administered in their food is also regarded as a preventive. Several farmers within my knowledge have stopped the disease by using kerosene in the swill given the hogs.— (L. J. GAUDY.)

DR. GERTH'S INVESTIGATION.

Early in June last Dr. J. Gerth, jr., D. V.,S., was appointed by the Commissioner and directed to proceed at once to Nebraska and make a thorough investigation as to the cause of the disease prevailing among the swine of that State, and give such advice as he might deem expedient to prevent its extension. He arrived in Nebraska about the 20th of June, and at once commenced the investigation. Shortly after his arrival, however, he was tendered the position of State veterinarian, a position created by the legislature about the time of his arrival. His acceptance of this office caused him to relinquish the position conferred upon him by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the investigation

was brought to a sudden termination. The following is the brief report made by Dr. Gerth on severing his connection with the Bureau of Animal Industry:

INVESTIGATION OF HOG CHOLERA IN NEBRASKA.

Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN,

United States Commissioner of Agriculture:

SIR: In compliance with your request to make investigations of hog cholera in Nebraska I proceeded to that State without delay, leaving New Jersey on the 17th day of June, 1885. Reaching Omaha, Nebr., on. the 19th instant, I soon became acquainted with the importance of this investigation, and satisfied that I would be blessed with abundance of work.

Instructions were received from Dr. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, to make special inquiries as to the history of the introduction of hog cholera into this State and its mode of spreading. Acting upon these instructions I made diligent inquiries in that direction with the following results:

So far as could be ascertained by careful investigation hog cholera has existed in Nebraska ever since 1871. The first serious outbreak made its appearance in one of the northeastern counties of this State, being introduced there by sick hogs coming from Iowa. From that point it continued to spread south from one county into another, confining itself to the counties bordering on the western banks of the Missouri River, until it crossed the Platte River. From that point it spread in a westerly direction. After this period the disease abated to some extent, but never disappeared entirely from the State. For the past few years it has again been spreading in an alarming manner, sufficiently so as to interfere with the hog industry of this State. The losses have been as high as 90 and 100 per cent. Last year the loss was estimated at over $2,000,000. Hog cholera at present exists in all eastern, southern, and southwestern counties of this State, and is spreading rapidly. In nearly every instance I could trace the introduction of the disease into a herd to their coming in contact with diseased animals. Another chief cause of its spreading appears to be due to the fact that hogs from a diseased herd, apparently healthy, in which the disease had assumed a chronic form, were offered for sale and purchased by unsuspecting farmers who innocently allowed them to mingle with their healthy animals.

During my investigations I made a total of fifty-eight autopsies. The post mortem lesions have been so frequently described in the reports of the United States Department of Agriculture and other reports that it is hardly necessary to describe them here. However, a few post mortem lesions of unusual occurrence might prove of some interest. In four cases, three of which were chronic and one acute, the pericardium was found firmly and completely adherent to the heart, small portions of which could be detached by careful manipulation. Notwithstanding every heart was carefully dissected, I failed to find the ecchymosed spots described as being so commonly found on the endocardium. In two subacute cases the lungs were consolidated and filled with cheesy tubercles about the size of a hazel nut. Tubercles could not be found in any other part of the body. The circular ulcers so frequently described as being nearly always found in the cæcum, were only found there in one instance, and nine times in the colon. Post mortems were made on 5 animals that were diseased with hog cholera over six months prior to their destruction, and at the time of death were apparently healthy; in fact they appeared so bright that experts failed to pick them out of a lot of healthy animals when requested to do so. In each case lesions of hog cholera were still present in the lungs and intestines. This fact I consider of great importance in explaining a number of so-called sporadic outbreaks. I am inclined to believe that some of these chronic cases frequently introduced the disease into healthy herds.

In the way of symptoms the only interesting thing noticed was that nearly every Sow in pig would abort.

A total of twenty-eight places were visited, located in twelve different counties. Complaints were received also from thirty other places where hogs were dying, but it was impossible for me to visit them.

In conclusion I would say that the loss this year may exceed that of last, and if you would kindly send an inspector out here it would be sincerely appreciated by the stock-raisers of Nebraska and by the State authorities.

Respectfully submitted.

LINCOLN, NEBR., July, 1885.

J. GERTH, JR., D. V. S.

EXTENSION OF CONTAGIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES AND

METHODS FOR THEIR LIMITATION.

BY EZRA M. HUNT, M. D., SC. D., TRENTON, N. J.

We believe it to be acknowledged by all that the contagious diseases of domestic animals demand the most intelligent and indefatigable attention of all those who would promote the material prosperity of the country. Whatever may be the advances in manufactories and arts, our broad domain of territory and the demands of the world for animal food are the assurance that a large proportion of our capital and industry as a nation will be centered upon the rearing, care, and fattening of animals. The prosperity of the nation depends upon this as much if not more than upon any other one of its material resources. Let any wide spread epizootic break out among any class of animals, and the local effect in paralyzing resources is at once realized. Multiply this by an extension all over the land, and by its occurrence in all classes of live farm produce and the seriousness of the disaster is at once apparent. It is all the more serious because with our extended prairies and grass ranches, and our modes of grazing and of rearing cattle, sheep, and swine, it is exceedingly difficult to arrest a contagious disease after it has obtained a firm foothold.

It is unfortunately to be recognized, both as to this and other countries, that the prevalence of animal diseases, and especially of animal contagion, seem to have increased in the last score of years. Not only has there been the development of new diseases, or new forms of old diseases, but in many cases the virulence of the contagion seems to have increased. Texas cattle fever belongs to the present last quarter of this century. Contagious pleuro-pneumonia did not make its appearance in this country until about 1847, and not seriously until 1858. Swineplague dates back to about 1860. Chicken cholera is of still more recent record. We can only approximately arrive at the losses which have occurred, but it is safe to say that they have not only got into the millions but into the billions. With these facts in evidence, and with the future before us we should look upon the prospect with anxiety and alarm were it not that the knowledge of sanitary conditions as applied to animals is advancing, as also a knowledge of methods of inoculation, isolation, disinfection, and skilled modes of administration. This knowl edge if well applied is equal to these emergencies.

Under our form of government, the most difficult questions that arise as to these contagious diseases are those which have reference to the degree in which individual States and the General Government should act in the premises. It is undoubtedly time that each State should make full and adequate provision for the limitation of diseases which arise in it. But if in addition it appears that one State is constantly the focus of contagion for another, and that any State is comparatively helpless

to prevent the introduction of these diseases, there is certainly some need of that provision on the part of the General Government which will prevent this constant conveyance of contagion by the usual routes of transportation. This can only be done by such action on the part of the General Government as shall recognize the contagious diseases of animals as a peril to the national industry and production, which concerns the whole country.

As an illustration of the effect that this unregulated movement of stock has upon the interests of the country and upon individual States, we may cite some evidence furnished for several years past by the experience of the State board of health of New Jersey in its oversight of the contagious diseases of animals. The first occurrence of a center from which contagious pleuro-pneumonia spread in New Jersey was made by the purchase of animals in Brooklyn, N. Y. (See the communication of General N. W. Halsted, president of the State Agricultural Society of New Jersey, to the Agricultural Department of the United States, 1878.) Of an outbreak which occurred in some of the lower counties of the State in 1878-79 we have not sufficient facts to prove the origin. No subsequent cases were traced to these centers. But in 1861 it made its appearance in Burlington County, in the herd of Mr. Hancock, who introduced it by means of purchases made in Philadelphia. For a long period after this time there was no skilled oversight of the disease in this State, and it is impossible to trace all its sources. But from the time that the State instituted special legislation the evidence of its derivation from other States has been very complete. Those who served under the first law of 1879, and under the direction of General W. H. Sterling, are, we believe, unanimous in recognizing that even at that time it was thoroughly practicable to attempt and expect the complete eradication of the disease if only we could be protected from incursions from other States. In the case of New Jersey this is a very difficult matter. The direction of traffic brings through it most of the live animal produce of the Middle, Southern, and Western States. As calves and young cattle can usually be bought cheaper than they can be raised, the dairies are also dependent upon the outside supply. So fully did the cattle commissioners appreciate this, that the chief expense was incurred in an attempt to guard against the invasion of the disease from the North and the South. Indeed, at that time so circumscribed were the foci of contagion that it is believed a reasonable activity on the part of the authorities of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, and special surveillance of the stock-yards of Philadelphia and New York, would have stamped out the disease from the whole country. The discouragement was that there was not corresponding action between the States; that the question was raised as to how far State could, under the claim of emergency, form laws regulating the traffic in cattle between the several States. Without such co-operation any one State did not seem to be justified in the expense involved. Even as it was, our authorities came fully to recognize Long Island, Staten Island, and the stock-yards of Philadelphia as the constant foci of the cases that occurred in this State, those which were in the State being in general susceptible of eradication by stringent local measures.

In 1880, when the care of these diseases was required of the State board of health, the first question that arose was how far it was prac ticable to attempt to eradicate the disease by a system of inspection in which we had not the co-operation of the other States. It was found upon full investigation that no such imperfect inspection as could be ar