15 Dec, 1919. J Foultry Ailments. 14:1 



food, (fcc. The disease is undoubtedly infectious, and, according to Dr. 

 Pearl, may be attributed to one or other of the following organisms: — 



(1) Coccidium tenellum, or cuniculi producing the disease called 



coccidiosis. 



(2) Bacterium pullorum, producing bacillary white diarrhoea. 



(3) Aspergillus fumigatus and allied species, producing asper- 



gillosis or brooder pneumonia of chicks. 

 The symptoms are in general the same for the different form.s of the 

 •disease. Affected chicks show indifference to what goes on about them, 

 isolate themselves from the rest of the flock, their wings droop, and weight 

 is lost. There is a characteristic white discharge from the vent. Death 

 •occurs very rapidly, and preventive measures are the best treatment. 

 "Thorough disinfection of premises and equipment, including incubators 

 .and brooders, is necessary. To make sure of avoiding the disease, only 

 thoroughly wholesome and readily digestible food should be given to 

 young chickens. 



Fowl Cholera. 



Fowl cholera, according to Dr. Pearl, is a virulent, usually fatal, and 

 highly infectious disease. It is entirely distinct from the 'ordinary forms 



•of enteritis. Fowl typhoid and infectious leukaemia are often mistaken 

 for cholera. It is caused by a minute organism, bacillus avisepticus 

 (B. bipolaris septicus). 



The earliest indication of this ailment is a yellow coloration of the 

 urates, or that part of the excrement which is excreted by the kidneys. 

 This is normally pure white, though at times tinted with yellow as a 

 result of other disorders than cholera. In regard to the yellow or green 



-excreta, Hadley says this is a very characteristic symptom. The excre- 

 ment of normal fowls is not yellow, and when it is green it is a dar^- 

 green, approaching black. In cholera, both yellow and green are bright, 

 the green being almost an emerald green. These different colours may 



•occur either together or .separately, and are generally accompanied by 

 diarrhoea and thick mucous. In the early stages of the disease, the excre- 

 ment consists entirely of urates mixed with colourless mucous. Generally 

 the diarrhoea is a prominent symptom. Soon after the first symptoms 

 appear the bird separates itself from the flock, the feathers become ruffled, 

 the wings droop, and the head is drawn down towards the body. "Weak- 

 rioss develops, and heavy drowsiness sets in. The crop is nearly always 



<listended with food, and apparently paralyzed. Generally there is intense 

 thirst. Death generally occurs within a few hours to several days. The 

 majority of the flock may be lost in a few days, or a few at a time for 

 several weeks. Infection is transmitted generally through the food or 



•drinking water becoming contaminated with the excrement of sick 

 birds, through eating part of the bodies of dead infected birds, or 

 inhalation of the germs or dust suspended in the air may cause further 

 infection. 



Treatment. — There is really no certain cure, and dead birds should 

 'be thoroughly destroyed by fire. All the litter and droppings should be 

 scraped up and burnt, and the houses. &c., thoroughly sprayed with 

 .strong disinfectant. 



