400 The Diseases of Animals 



common disease, especially when poultry is kept in 

 damp and unsanitary quarters. It is due to a germ 

 which may be introduced by means of diseased fowls, 

 or by infected coops and pens. Good care and food 

 enable birds to resist invasion by the germs, Any con- 

 ditions that tend to lessen the vitality of the bird favor 

 the development of the disease. 



At first, the discharge is thin and watery; but 

 later it becomes thick and yellow, collecting about the 

 nostrils and in the eyes and throat. The fowl is often 

 unable to see, owing to the inflammation, swelling and 

 collecting of matter about the eyes. As the disease pro- 

 gresses, the comb and wattles become abnormally red, 

 and the clogging of the nostrils and throat makes breath- 

 ing difficult. Throughout its sickness, the bird is dull 

 and weak, with plumage rough and erect. Finally, the 

 fowl becomes unconscious and then soon dies. 



In most cases, the best treatment is to kill and burn 

 the bird as soon as the disease appears. Antiseptics 

 used about the head will usually overcome the disease. 

 Creolin, one part to one hundred parts of water, is excel- 

 lent; also, boric acid, twenty grains to one ounce of 

 water; also, kerosene oil. In all cases, the mucus should 

 be washed away, the parts well cleaned, and the remedy 

 thoroughly applied. 



In the spring or fall it frequently happens that a 

 number of birds are noticed sneezing and snuffing from 

 colds, with a slight discharge of mucus from the 

 nostrils. For these "colds," and as a preventive of 

 roup, one teaspoonful of pure carbolic acid to one 

 gallon of drinking water, is excellent. 



