440 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



dence an unusual thirst. Drowsiness immediately precedes death, 

 which often occurs within a few hours, and nearly always within 

 two or three days after the bird becomes sick. A mucous dis- 

 charge from the mouth is occasionally noticed. When it is certain 

 that the disease is cholera, the best plan is to kill the sick bird, 

 or at least isolate it, so that the bacteria in the droppings will not 

 mix with the food of the well birds, nor the liquid which drips 

 from the beaks of the sick, feverish birds get into the drinking 

 water. Try to eliminate every possible source of infection. To 

 destroy the bacteria use corrosive sublimate in drinking water, in 

 stone fountains; but do not use more than one part of this poison 

 to 1,000 or 2,000 parts water. Sprinkle diluted crude carbolic acid 

 about buildings and grounds. Ten drops of sulphuric acid in one 

 gallon of water twice a week in summer is a wise precaution 

 against fowl cholera. 



Limberneck — This disease, which takes its name from the 

 characteristic limber condition of the neck, attacks fowls that have 

 had access to carrion or other decaying matter filled with mag- 

 gots or worms, which often remain alive in the bird's crop, caus- 

 ing partial paralysis of the muscles of the neck. When fowls are 

 allowed to eat decaying flesh in which is ptomaine, limberneck is 

 almost sure to follow. Some authorities also contend that the dis- 

 ease may be caused by parasites in the intenstines. In this, as in 

 i-every other poultry disease, prevention is better than cure. Do 

 not leave decaying flesh where fowls will have access to it. One 

 remedy recommended for sick birds is a few drops of turpentine 

 and sweet oil followed in a few minutes by some warm sweet milk, 

 or a feed of grain soaked in turpentine may be tried. Another 

 treatment proposed is to give the sick bird slugs or pills made of 

 equal parts pure lard, cayenne pepper, powdered sugar and mus- 

 tard. Give a pill every three hours during the day. 



Tuberculosis — "Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused 

 by organisms, known as tubercle bacteria, which gain entrance to 

 certain organs of the body and multiply there. The nodular 

 growths (tubercles), so constantly found in tuberculosis, are 

 caused by the presence of these bacteria in the affected regions. 

 The spread of tuberculosis from one fowl to another occurs only 

 when conditions permit the transfer of the live tubercle bacteria 

 more or less directly from the diseased to the healthy." — Archibald 

 R. Ward. — Droppings from sick fowls may prove sources of in- 

 fection, causing the disease to spread. As there is no known un- 

 failing cure, the safe plan is to kill the affected birds. 



