creator:

Searl, Richard (1919-1989)

title:

Papers

dates:

1960-1978, n.d.

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)

collection number:

MS 167

repository:

Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Richard Searl Papers, MS 167, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

The first outbreak of hog cholera was officially recorded in Ohio in 1833, though there were reports of its existence in Indiana in 1830.  From that time until the declaration on January 31, 1978, that the U.S. was hog cholera-free, many millions of dollars were lost in the hog industry due to the disease.  As early as 1880, losses were estimated at $10 to $25 million annually.  Even with vaccination, hog cholera outbreaks persisted, and in 1956, principles for eradication were set out by the U.S. Livestock Sanitary Commission.  The following year, Livestock Conservation, Inc. appointed a steering committee to develop plans for industry participation in the eradication effort.  Federal funding for a cooperative federal-state program began in 1963.  In 1964, goals set by Livestock Conservation, Inc., and endorsed by other groups called for an elimination of outbreaks by 1969, and a cholera-free nation by 1972.  Unfortunately, though much progress had been made by 1972, a large outbreak beginning in the southeast resulted in the declaration of a national emergency.  Outbreaks continued with decreasing frequency, and the last case was reported August 1, 1976.

In the course of the fight against the hog cholera virus, controversy developed over the use of modified live virus vaccines and killed vaccines (Crystal Violet).  Many attributed hog cholera outbreaks to the use of these vaccines and a ban on their use was put into effect in 1969.  Much of the material in this collection relates to this controversy.

Collection description
 

The materials in this collection (1960-1978, n.d.) resulted from Searl's involvement with the fight against hog cholera (especially the controversy over vaccines) and include Congressional testimony, correspondence, memoranda, publications, and reports. Correspondents include W. J. Mendenhall, Keith Myers, and D. A. Peterson.

The collection contains the following series: Congressional Testimony, Committees, Correspondence, Meetings, News Clippings, Notes, Presentations, Procedures, Publications, Reports, and Statistics.