HEALTH AND DISEASE OF POULTRY 585 



1. Place the dead birds temporarily in an enclosure out of 

 reach of all other fowls. 



2. Mil a spray pump (which no poultryman should be with- 

 out) with a 3 per cent solution of Zenoleum, Hyco disinfectant, 

 Chloro-naphtholeum, or other reliable disinfectant, and make an 

 inspection tour of all pens, examining closely the dropping boards 

 for the characteristic yellow and green excreta. If found, spray 

 thoroughly the entire surface of the dropping board, then go out- 

 side to inspect the yard and the birds. First examine the premises 

 for the presence of characteristic excreta. If found, cover with soil 

 and spra'y the top to prevent the birds from picking it over. Next 

 examine the birds for sick ones, or those showing stained feathers 

 behind. If any are found place them inside the house, shutting all 

 entrances, and go to the next pen. 



3. As soon as all the pens have been inspected in this way, 

 remove and kill all the birds which were confined in the house, still 

 keeping the other birds outside. 



4. Next, go through the house and collect all fountains, drink- 

 ing-pans and feed-pans, if present. Secure a large tub, fill this 

 with 3 per cent Zenoleum (one part Zenoleum to 32 parts water) 

 or other reliable disinfectant, and immerse the dishes, fountains, 

 etc. Remove them after an hour and return them to the yards of 

 the pens where infection is present and to the pens of the others. 

 Fill them with water in which has been dissolved sulphate of iron 

 at the rate of one ounce of the sulphate to three quarters of water. 



5. Bury very deep (at least three feet), or burn (after soak- 

 ing the carcasses with oil), the bodies of the dead birds. 



This is all that can be done at the start, since it is better to delay 

 further disinfection of the infected pens until the further course of 

 the epidemic is disclosed. From this time on, however, the poul- 

 tryman should keep all the birds under careful and frequent ob- 

 servation, inspecting all the yards, and also the houses that are still 

 open, for other sick birds and for signs of the characteristic excre- 

 ment. As soon as the latter is found it should be gathered at once 

 into a pail. The place should then be sprayed, and the material de- 

 stroyed. Sick birds, as previously indicated, should be removed and 

 killed. Close observation and immediate action in the particulars 

 mentioned above will make chances about even for checking the 

 epidemic at the start, but these precautions are of little avail after 

 even a quarter of the flock have died, and the remaining birds have 

 been infected. If these measures check the epidemic at the outset, 

 then all pens may be disinfected, and the fowls allowed to return 

 to them. 



SUMMARY. 



1. Fowl cholera has been known in Europe for more than a 

 century. It was not recognized in the United States until about 

 1875, but now is common in many parts of the country. Its prev- 

 alence in New England, and in R&ode Island in particular, appears 

 to be increasing. 



