746 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [15 Dec, 1919. 



cure. Where, however, this is attempted, it is desirable to place the 

 bird in clean quarters free from draught, feed it on soft food, and 

 administer a tonic. 



Diphtheritic Roup (Avian Diphtheria). 



Some authorities apparently differ on the question whether avian 

 diphtheria is a stage or form of the same disease as ordinary roup. 

 Diphtheritic roup is distinguished from usual roup by the formation of 

 tough membraneou.s growth, particularly on the mucous surface of the 

 mouth and throat. According to Mr. F. V. Theobald (Parasitic Diseases 

 of Poultry), the epizootic form can often be prevented by immediate 

 isolation, and the addition of salicylic acid to the drinking water, which 

 should be administered sparingly — equal parts of water and a 10 per 

 cent, solution of salicylic dissolved in alcohol being allowed. The mouth 

 should be freed from all growths, and if the membrane under the growth 

 is found white and unhealthy, it should be dressed with 10 per cent, 

 solution of salicylic acid. Only in the early stages, however, is it worth 

 while attempting treatment. This ailment comes under the quarantine 

 regulations. 



Aspergillosis (Mycosis of the Air Passages.) 



The first sjnnptoms usually are loss of appetite, followed by abnormal 

 thirst. Next comes rise in temperature and heavy breathing, accom- 

 panied by a rattling sound, due to the vibration of the mucous in the 

 trachea. Diarrhoea follows with subsequent emaciation, and death gene- 

 rally occurs in from one to six weeks. This disease is frequently 

 mistaken for tuberculosis. It is, however, caused by aspergillus mould 

 growing in the mucous membrane of the air passage. These moulds are 

 inhaled or swallowed with the food from dead organic matter, such as^ 

 straw, &c. To avoid risk of infection, well-ventilated houses should 

 be used, and mould}'' litter should be avoided, and care taken that no 

 mouldy grain is fed to the birds. 



Tuberculosis. 



This complaint is fortunately not so prevalent as might be expected,, 

 and is rarely found in young stock. The principal external symptoms 

 are increasing emaciation, general debility, and diarrhoea. Any attempt 

 at cure is impracticable. 



Pneumonia. 



The symi)toms are abnormal thirst, lack of appetite, and constipation, 

 with rapid and laboured breathing. The progress is very rapid, on 

 account of the extreme feverishness. It is very rarely that a cure is 

 effected, and the attention involved in nursing affected birds is consider- 

 able. 



White Diarrhoea. 



This is not uncommon among chickens (especially those artificially 

 hatched and brooded), generally occurring between the first and third 

 week of their lives, although cases may occur up to, in chickens, six 

 months old. There are various contributing factors, such as (a) breeding 

 stock which lack constitutional vigour, (b) faulty incubation or brood- 

 ing, (c) lack of proper ventilation, (d) overcrowding, (e) improper 



