J^/>^. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 57 



In the whole history of iionltrv diseases in tliis eouiitrv few have 

 receiveil sueh varied and eontradictory treatment as lias eliieken-pox or 

 warts. 



In ahnost every instance the fact has been overlooked that the disease is 

 one of the blood, and that these erui^tions have to go through a stage of 

 growth, terminating in tlie ripening of the j^ox, consequently the 

 remedial measures, just as with measles and chicken-pox in human beings, 

 must 1)? those of an internal nature. Together with the many things on 

 the market for this disease, almost every poultry-man has some home 

 remedy, or, as he is pleased to call it a cure. One man told me he 

 ■cured his birds In- ruljbing on the sores grease and ashes ; another that 

 gunpowder and grease was good ; another cured some Leghorns with 

 kerosene, and giving sulphur pills. The fact remains that several of 

 the alwve admitted that they could not cure the very small chickens, 

 ■while it is quite possible that those of larger growth which they claimed 

 to have cured would in the absence of any treatment have recovered. 



Mrs. Lance Rawson, the Queensland authority, evidently realised this 

 wdien she says, " I think the disease is a l^lood disorder, and the only 

 remedy I have found is to mix plenty of sulphur in their food, and give 

 & good deal of boiled vegetables every day." Lewis Wright says the same 

 thing, viz., " That small doses of sulphur should be given internally 

 with tonics and green food, and the spots painted with a 2 per cent, of 

 formalin. When tlie disease is first noticed an aperient should be given." 



I have already said that the disease is experienced in a mild form 

 only in America. That, however, is speaking generally, there being 

 .some States where it is severe, as the following extract, contributed to an 

 American newsjiaper, shows: — 



Of all tlie poultry diseases the fancier lias to contend witli, cliicken-pox in 

 its malignant form takes the lead. I liave been in the poultry business for 

 the past twenty-five years, and it is wonderful to read all the rot and contra- 

 dictory theories that are written on this subject. Some go so far as to claim 

 it is a local disease, caused from mosquito bites; otliers claim it is dry roup, 

 &c. While the etiology of chicken-pox is still shrouded in mystery, there is 

 no doubt it is of microbe origin. Tliere are three distinct stages of the disease 

 — the eruptive, that of desiccation, and that of desquamation. It is some- 

 times discrete (mild formj, when the pustules remain separated from each 

 other, contluent (or seA'ere form), when the pustules unite. 



This disease is both contagious and infectious. Symptoms : a vesiculo-pus- 

 tula eruption of the comb, face, and wattles; colour, yellowish white, and 

 becoming pustular as tliey develop, ending in a dry scab; when these scabs 

 are removed tliey resemble a bunch of spiles set in the flesh, and breed freely. 

 In the contluent form the eyes are closed, and a yellow fungus growth forms 

 in the corner and under the lids of the eyes. From the pressure of this fungus 

 growth on tlie eyeball we often find the eyeball ruptured and destroyed. 

 Wlienever we have a case of the continent form we do as George AVashington 

 did — we use the hatchet. 



As to the treatment, I am a great believer in the old saying: " An ounce of 

 prevention is worth all the cures." This is my treatment — prevention; hence 

 for five years (although my neighbours' poultry has had the disease) I have 

 not had a single case of oliicken-pox, or sore head, in my flocks. My mode of 

 prevention is this : tliorouglily cleanse everytliing in tlie yard, houses, ttc, 

 and sprinkle with carbolated water (one teaspoonful of carbolic acid to ] 

 gallon of water); give for drinking water two tablespoonsful of sulphate of 



