DIVISION OF POULTRY 689 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The best means of preventing and treating tuberculosis in fowls is to destroy the 

 entire flock if all have been running together, and to thoroughly cleanse and disinfect 

 the quarters which they have occupied with any good disinfectant, one of which is a 

 five per cent solution of crude carbolic acid. This may "be made by adding two tea- 

 cupfuls of crude carbolic acid to a pail of hot lime wash. This should be applied 

 with a spray pump, brush or old broom to all parts of the house occupied by the fowl. 

 This method of disinfection is suggested, owing to the fact that in tuberculosis or 

 consumption in fowls, as has already been indicated, the bacilli or germs are found 

 in the droppings in great numbers, and these should be destroyed. This action is 

 further recommended as it has been shown that fowls dead of tuberculosis, if eaten 

 by hogs, communicate the disease to them, and it is probable that the droppings 

 wovdd also communicate the disease in a similar manner. 



When destroying the birds after it has been demonstrated that tuberculosis is 

 present, some may be suitable for food if an examination of the livers shows no 

 yellow or white spots from the size of a pin point to that of a pea, and there are no 

 nodules or lumps on the intestines. When these lesions are present the flesh cannot 

 be considered suitable for human food. 



We have found that eggs from tuberculous fowls may contain the bacilli or 

 germs in the white, and others have demonstrated that they are in sufficient numbers 

 to infect small experimental animals. This suggests a possible source through which 

 tuberculosis may be introduced into a flock, namely by the unsuspecting purchase of 

 eggs from someone who has tuberculosis among his fowl. 



The drastic measures above recommended should be followed in all cases when 

 tuberculosis appears among fowl. These measures, while temporarily entailing a 

 considerable loss, will in the end prove the most economical to the owner and the 

 community. 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING MATERIAL FOR EXAMINATION. 



Where it is desired to determine the nature of any condition causing losses 

 among fowl, an examination will be undertaken by the Biological Laboratory, 

 Ottawa, providing suitable material is supplied. If possible, two live but affected 

 birds should be forwarded by express in order that a thorough autopsy may be made. 

 It is not necessary to prepay the express. When the condition has been found at 

 autopsy the diseased tissues may be sent by mail, if properly packed and preserved. 

 Tissues may be preserved in pure alcohol or a solution of one part of formaldehyde 

 to nine parts of water. After an examination has been made suggestions will be 

 forwarded for the prevention of further losses. Specimens sent by express or mail 

 should be addressed to the Biological Laboratory, Ottawa, Canada. 



Information concerning the losses which have been experienced should be sent 

 with the material in order that it may be properly identified. The name and address 

 of the sender should be written plainly so that the result of the examination may be 

 forwarded with the least possible delay. 



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