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head becomes of a blueish colour, but is not swollen, as in roup. The droppings are 

 thin, of a white, yellow and greenish tinge. Some contain what looks like coagulated 

 blood. The disease seems to be epidemic, as all my neighbours fowls are suffering 

 fpom it. This is about all the explanation I can give you. 



" Yours very truly, 



" Anle^ Bertrand, 



"St. Esprit, P.Q." 



This letter was at once sent to Professor Wesley Mills, of McGill University, 

 asking the favour of his opinion as to the nature of the disease. In reply the following 

 opinion and advice was received : — 



"Physiological Laboratory, McGill University, 



"Montreal, 19th December, 1890. 



" Dear Sir, — The symptoms and results described b}' Mons. Bertrand seem to 

 point to chicken cholera or some closely allied disease as the one that has played 

 such havoc among his birds. It would be well that every bird showing the first 

 symptoms of the malady should be killed at once if it cannot be it^olated, and the 

 bodies of all the dead burned. The well birds should be isolated and the buildings in 

 which the others have been, thoroughly disinfected. All excrement should at once 

 be burned. The food must be carefully examined as well as the water. It might be 

 well to boil the latter and feed the flock for a while on soft food, prepaied by pouring 

 boiling water over meal of various kinds. In medical treatment little, I fear, can be 

 done. I should give at once a compound cathartic pill and follow it in a few hours 

 by a good dose of castor oil. A gelatine capsule containing powdered charcoal and 

 a little cayenne pepper might also be of use, if given every three or four hours. 

 However, in such a disejise it is better to kill the sick than try to cure them, it 

 seems to me. 



" Truly yours, 



"Wesley Milis, M.D." 



Immediately following this letter came the request from Dr. Mills, to have two 

 birds suffering from the disease, but alive if possible, sent to him at the University. 



Accordingly a note was sent to M. Bertrand, asking him to comply with Dr. 

 Mills' request. A few days after, M. Bertrand wrote to say that he had sent two 

 fowls, one dead from the disease and another alive, but sick from it. He had obtained 

 the fowls from a neighbour as his own had all died. It was learned afterwards that 

 the fowl, which was alive when shipped, was dead when it reached its destination. 



A i-equest was sent to Professor Mills to kindly forward the result of the exami- 

 nation to be published for the benefit of farmers and others who kept poultry. In 

 answer Dr. Mills said, that " the investigation was in progress, but that it would be 

 premature to make a diagnosis yet. He would like M. Bertrand to send one or two 

 more fowls alive, and just as soon as they are decidedly ill." M. Bertrand was 

 written to accordingly. 



It may be remarked here that the importance of having such authorities as 

 Professor Mills and Dr. Johnston to refer to, will be evident at fi.j'st glance. The 

 uniform promptness and willingness of Professor Mills to give his opinion, as to 

 cause and advice as to remedy, cannot be too much appreciated. 



other ailments reported and remedies asked. 



On the 25th April, Mr. Munro, of Almonte, Ont., wrote, " that he had a Leghorn 

 hen which had a large lump growing on one side of her face below the eye. The 

 lump came on the year before, disappeared but was again coming on." He was 



