THE OUTBREAK OF SWINE FEVER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 3

THE OUTBREAK OF SWINE FEVER.

We regret to have to record the occurrence of swine fever in this colony. This is a disease which has caused an Immense amount of trouble and loss to owme-breeders in Great Britain and on the Continent. Our Southland correspondent writes:— 'An outbreak of swine fever has occurred at Mataura amongst the pigs kept at the Dairy Factory. The animals are the property of Mr J. B. McEwan, late Government dairy expert. A portion of .them were reared at the factory, the remainder having been purchased at BumSide some months ago. The Government veterinarians have been in attendance, and on their instructions the whole herd of close on 200 head has been slaughtered. 1 learn that everything about the piggery Which would have the remotest chance of carrying contagion has been burned. Considering the amount which has been spent during the past few years by the Imperial Government in their endeavours to stamp out swine fever in the Home Country, it is most satisfactory to note the prompt action taken by our Agricultural Department to nip in the bud a plague which if allowed to spread would very materially affect what is now an important and profitable industry.' Mr Sanders Spencer, in his recent work on the breeds and management of pigs, pays that for many years this disease was regarded as a form of anthrax, until 1577, when he showed it to be a distinct disease communicable from one animal to nnother in one of several ways: (1) through the atmosphere; (2) by means of food; (3) by inoculation. The virus is contained in the excrement, in the saliva, in the discharges from the skin, imd in the blood and tissues of the body generally. Bacteriologists have discovered the cause of the disease to "be a specific microbe; which is capable of maintaining its virulefice for lengthened periods under certain conditions. Mr Spencer says: 'The discharges from the bowels are the most fruitful source of infection, hence it is that markets, sties, yards, and roads become contaminated and rendered so liable to extend the disease .to healthy stock herded on or passing over such infested ground. Young animals show a greater susceptibility to the disease than older ones, and when closely herded together quickly become affected. Animals of all ages, however, and in all conditions are liable to infection.' This writer goes on to say that sometimes swine fever kills in two or three days, and in other cases the animals may be infected for weeks before they die. In these mild cases it is difficult to detect the presence of the disease, and thus they may be particularly dangerous ns regards the spread of the malady. The chief signs of infection are a rise of temperature, followed by more or less reddening of the skin beneath the belly, at the root of the ears, or on the under side of the arms and thighs. The rash is sometimes in patches, at others spread •over the entire body, and it may or may not be attended with an eruption of small vesicles or blisters and the subsequent formation of scabs. The pig becomes dull, the ears and tail droop; food is refused or taken sparingly. Whsn standing the back is arched, and the belly tucked up. In the early part of the attack there is constipation, and later on diarrhoea gets in. We publish these particulars in ordeir to aid readers of the 'Farmer' in detecting any outbreak, so that immediate measures may be taken to destroy infected animals, and to disinfect premises where they have been. The Government veterinary officers will, no d»ubt, furnish instructions on the precautions to be taken to all applicants for information.—N.Z. Farmer.