POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 



J. Control Measures 



Practical experience and scientific in- 

 vestigation have clearly proved that pre- 

 ventive measures are more economical and 

 effective than curative. Failing preven- 

 tion, everything points to the importance of 

 dealing promptly with the first cases, owing 

 to the risk of infection of the rest of the 

 stock. Control measures may be divided 

 into three classes: 



1. Proper housing and feeding of fowls. 



2. General sanitation and disinfection. 



3. Administration of medicine to sick birds. 



The details to which special attention 

 must be given are covered by the following 

 axiomatic rules: 



1. Isolate birds recently purchased for two or three weeks. 



2. Isolate every bird that shows any sign of ill health. 



3. Provide a fresh and pure supply of water in a shady 



position. 



4. Add Epsom salts (one teaspoonful to a quart) once a 



week to the drinking water. Give chickens daily a 

 liberal supply of bran in addition to their other food. 



5. Feed birds on a varied diet, including green food. 



6. Arrange that birds have to scratch for some of their food. 



7. Construct houses, nest boxes, etc., so that they can be 



readily and thoroughly disinfected. Houses should 

 be free from drafts. 



8. Disinfect contaminated soil by spraying, liming, and 



resting. 



