REPORT OF THE rOULTRY MANAGER 305 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



or two hinl recently died and others seemed as if tliey would not last long. His letter 

 was submitted to Dr. Iliggins, who suggested that if a definite diagnosis was desired 

 by Mr. Lawes that he be requested to send on one or more of the worst specimens. 

 Mr. Lawes, soon after forwarded two sick fowls, and the post mortem examination of 

 one by Dr. Iliggins confirmed what from the first was suspected. A copy of his report 

 •which was made to the Veterinary Director General, Dr. J. G. Rutherford, and for- 

 warded by that gentleman to our department, is as follows: — 



' Biological Laboratory, 



' Ottawa, May 30, 1904. 



* Xo. 24:7. This fowl, a Buff Orpington from Geo. K, Lawes, of Enderby, B.C., was 

 chloroformed on the 13th inst. The autopsy revealed lesions of tuberculosis, which 

 cultures and microscopic examinations have confirmed. 



' Very nearly all the tissues of the body wrere invaded by the lesions. The liver 

 was about twice its normal size and contained tubercles varying in size from a pin 

 point to a hazel nut. The spleeu was about three times its normal size. 



' The lesions of the intestines were of a chronic nature and were without doubt 

 instrumental in communicating the disease to other fowls w^th which she associated. 



(Sgd.) ' CHAS. H. HIGGIXS, 



' PatJiohgist/ 



A copy of this report was mailed to Mr. Lawes with the statement that there was 

 no known cure for tuberculosis among fowls, and that his birds were not likely to re- 

 cover. Mr. Lawes afterwards wrote that his birds continued to die, one by one, and 

 would likely do so until exterminated. 



Such being the deadly nature of the disease it is of vital importance to the poultry 

 keepers of British Columbia that its presence in their province and its fatal character 

 should be known to them. From other points in British Columbia reports of a similar 

 kind to that of Mr. Lawes were received. The correspondents were informed of the 

 results of the examination, and advised to take immediate action upon conclusive 

 identification of the disease, by killing off their birds at once. Li one case a reply was 

 received that doubtless the situation was serious, but he would risk consequences. Such 

 a mistaken attitude is to be regretted, for it only postpones the inevitable and renders 

 the stamping out of the disease more diflicult. 



Dr. D. E. Salmon, Chief of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, in his 

 book entitled ' The Diseases of Poultry,' writes as follows on the treatment of tuber- 

 culosis in a colony of fowls : ' The eradication of tuberculosis in birds from an in- 

 fected premises can only be attempted with a fair pro.speet of success when all the 

 birds are sacrificed. Any individuals that are preserved are liable to have ulcerations 

 of the intestines, from which the bacilli are constantly distributed. There should 

 consequently, be no attempt to save any birds from an infected flock. When the birds 

 are all killed and disposed of by burning or deeply burying, the premises should be 

 carefully disinfected.' Then follows detailed instructions as to the proper method of 

 cleaning and disinfecting building and premises. Concluding, Dr. Salmon says: 

 •' After the cleaning and disinfection is accomplished the premises should be opened 

 to the sun and air for a monoth, if possible, before new birds are introduced.' 



Writing of the tuberculous condition of the fowl from Enderby before being killed 

 for examination. Dr. Iliggins says : ' There can be no doubt that a fowl infected to 

 Buch a marked degree must have been a constant menace to all others with which it 

 may have come in contact as countless numbers of baccilli were present in the faeces. 

 This is, I believe, the first identification of tuhcrcuJosis in pouUry in Canada. 



Other examinations made \)y Dr. Higgins are reported as follows : — 



218. .4. fowl from Experimental Farm Poultry Department. — Autopsy reveals large 

 tumour on loft side of sternum, cystic, the cj-sts containing fluid dark in colour and 

 gelatinous. Pericardial sac contains 20 cc. fluid. Heart muscle contains nodules, 



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