DIVISION OF POULTRY 685 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 1S 



When the birds are older, the roosting places should receive consideration. The free 

 application of lime and sulphur wash (that used in spraying fruit trees is suitable) 

 on the ground under the roosting places and the ground on which they are reared, 

 two or three times during the season, will destroy any infection on the ground. We 

 believe that persons raising turkeys should bo very careful not to introduce the 

 disease when making additions to improve their stock A turkey torn may be a source 

 of infection when he heads the flock of a neighbourhood, or the disease may be 

 introduced with sittings of eggs. The greatest care should be exercised to prevent 

 any possible source of infection reaching a flock or locality now free from disease. 



The early diagnosis of the first case is an essential feature in connection with 

 the prevention and treatment. As has already been indicated, it is the early diagnosis 

 that will prove the most essential factor in successful prevention and treatment. The 

 isolation of the first case may many times prevent further manifestations of the 

 disease. From our experiments, however, it appears that there may be chronic 

 carriers of the disease whose droppings are continually infected, notwithstanding 

 the fact that they exhibit very slight if any symptoms. This suggests that isolation 

 may not be as potent a factor in preventing losses as desired, but I believe that it 

 should be enforced to such an extent as will prevent the old and young flocks inter 

 mingling after the first appearance of the disease. 



Our experiments in the treatment of entero-hepatitis have been directed to the 

 finding of some agent that will successfully carry affected birds over an acute attack 

 and enable their being conditioned for market. 



There is to my knowledge no known specific for controlling the ravages of this 

 affection. The use of muriatic acid in the drinking water was found some six years 

 ago to be followed by beneficial results on affected turkeys which I was trying to 

 raise at my home. Later it was given a further trial and three years ago a single 

 turkey at this laboratory made an apparent recovery. During the past two years 

 we have recommended it as being the best medicinal agent which we know to assist 

 in overcoming the affection. Last year five affected birds recovered after receiving 

 liberal allowances of this acid. One of these which was later autopsied to determine 

 the presence or absence of lesions, was found to be normal in every respect so far 

 as we could determine 



Some apparently remarkable recoveries have followed the use of this acid, but 

 one cannot hope to bring all affected birds through an attack. I was first prompted 

 to use this acid as I found that the contents of the digestive tract in turkeys, dead of 

 entero-hepatitis or black head, were alkaline in reaction. 



The acid to be used is a teaspoonful of muriatic acid (Acid. Mm: Dil B.PJ in 

 a quart of drinking water. This acidulated water should be placed in a porcelain or 

 glass vessel, and is suggested in the hope that the birds may be carried over an acute 

 attack. At the outset, when the birds show evidence of being severely affected, it 

 may be of advantage to triple the amount of acid (using three teaspoonfuls to the 

 quart of water) for the first three days. This amount will not injure the turkeys, 

 and may assist them in more rapidly overcoming the infection. 



They should be confined during this period on dry, sanded board floors in well- 

 lighted and well-ventilated quarters and allowed access to no other liquid. If allowed 

 to roam they may obtain sufficient water for their requirements from the dew laden 

 grass or other sources and, therefore, will not drink the acidulated water. If con- 

 fined, green food should be supplied in addition to the grain ration. 



Other medicinal agents may give equally satisfactory results in the treatment of 

 affected birds as that above outlined, in which case my advice would be to stick to 

 the remedy that has proven the most effective. If such other medicinal agents are 

 effective we will appreciate learning of them. We will also appreciate information 

 as to the success or otherwise of the treatment herein recommended. 



