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Story
October 20, 1922
Montgomery County Sentinel
Rockville, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland
What is this article about?
Metaphorical account of the hog cholera germ as a thief active since 1833, spreading via contaminated pork and infected hogs across the US, including Maryland counties. Warns farmers against carelessness and urges reporting to authorities. By I. K. Atherton, Inspector.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
A Thief At Large In Maryland.
A thief is now operating in several counties of Maryland that has one of the most unique criminal careers in the annals of crime. This pilferer, so history informs us, first began operations in the State of Ohio about 1833. Possessing more energy than conscience it widened its field of operation until it is now carrying on its nefarious practice in every State of the Union. One striking feature of this criminal is that it possesses no means of locomotion. It depends entirely on those whom it would rob to carry or permit it to be brought to their premises. Isn't it almost unbelievable that a thief so handicapped and after 90 years of operation should still be permitted by the farmers to steal their property? An investigation of this arch enemy of the farmers and stock raisers has shown it to be Mr. Hog Cholera Germ and it is really most interesting how, in spite of its helplessness, it manages to get around over the country and continue its plundering. One of its favorite methods of getting to the hog pens is by hiding in a bone, rind or scrap of pork. This is thrown into the swill pail or garbage barrel and fed to hogs. After being eaten by the hogs, the balance is easy, for once in the animal it begins to multiply and after the hog is sick it throws off the infection to the other swine in the herd. Another successful mode employed for getting to free premises is to have a farmer purchase a hog which is already sick or came from a place where hog cholera existed. After it once gets into a neighborhood it depends on the carelessness of the farmers to permit him to get to other farms. Nothing suits it better than to have a farmer hide the fact that his hogs are sick. Another bit of thoughtlessness that works to its benefit is for a farmer to throw out the carcass of a hog for the buzzards or dogs to dispose of. He finds both these will help him to get around to other farms. A continual search is being made for this criminal and should you learn of any sick hogs promptly report the fact to your County Agent or the U. S. Specialist of Hog Cholera in your district.
I. K. ATHERTON.
Inspector in Charge of Hog Cholera Work.
A thief is now operating in several counties of Maryland that has one of the most unique criminal careers in the annals of crime. This pilferer, so history informs us, first began operations in the State of Ohio about 1833. Possessing more energy than conscience it widened its field of operation until it is now carrying on its nefarious practice in every State of the Union. One striking feature of this criminal is that it possesses no means of locomotion. It depends entirely on those whom it would rob to carry or permit it to be brought to their premises. Isn't it almost unbelievable that a thief so handicapped and after 90 years of operation should still be permitted by the farmers to steal their property? An investigation of this arch enemy of the farmers and stock raisers has shown it to be Mr. Hog Cholera Germ and it is really most interesting how, in spite of its helplessness, it manages to get around over the country and continue its plundering. One of its favorite methods of getting to the hog pens is by hiding in a bone, rind or scrap of pork. This is thrown into the swill pail or garbage barrel and fed to hogs. After being eaten by the hogs, the balance is easy, for once in the animal it begins to multiply and after the hog is sick it throws off the infection to the other swine in the herd. Another successful mode employed for getting to free premises is to have a farmer purchase a hog which is already sick or came from a place where hog cholera existed. After it once gets into a neighborhood it depends on the carelessness of the farmers to permit him to get to other farms. Nothing suits it better than to have a farmer hide the fact that his hogs are sick. Another bit of thoughtlessness that works to its benefit is for a farmer to throw out the carcass of a hog for the buzzards or dogs to dispose of. He finds both these will help him to get around to other farms. A continual search is being made for this criminal and should you learn of any sick hogs promptly report the fact to your County Agent or the U. S. Specialist of Hog Cholera in your district.
I. K. ATHERTON.
Inspector in Charge of Hog Cholera Work.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Hog Cholera
Germ Spread
Farmers Warning
Disease Prevention
Pork Contamination
What entities or persons were involved?
I. K. Atherton
Mr. Hog Cholera Germ
Where did it happen?
Several Counties Of Maryland
Story Details
Key Persons
I. K. Atherton
Mr. Hog Cholera Germ
Location
Several Counties Of Maryland
Event Date
About 1833
Story Details
The hog cholera germ, personified as a thief, began in Ohio in 1833 and now affects hogs nationwide by hiding in pork scraps fed to swine, infecting purchased sick hogs, and spreading through farmers' carelessness like hiding illness or improper carcass disposal. Farmers urged to report sick hogs.