72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



matter in the form of green food, and animal matter in the 

 form of meat of some kind, unless they are allowed free 

 range, and get their animal matter in the form of insects. 



Question. Do you give the grain feed dry, or in the 

 form of mash, while they are growing ? 



Professor Paige. I think it makes but little difference, 

 so far as the chicks are concerned, if they are properly fed 

 and well cared for. It makes a greater difference, possibly, 

 from the poultryman's point of view, than it does from the 

 chick's point of view. Dry foods are more easily fed than 

 wet mashes, and require no preparation. 



Question. What is the cause of disease among turkeys ? 



Professor Paige. Entcro hepatitis, — in common lan- 

 guage, inflammation of the intestines and liver; it is the 

 disease ordinarily called black-head, and is a very serious 

 disease among turkeys. It has practically ruined that form 

 of poultry industry in this State, if not adjoining States. 

 I am not prepared to say exactly what the cause of it is. 

 Early investigation made by workers from the Bureau of 

 Aninial Industry, carried out at the experiment station in 

 Rhode Island, gave as the cause a low form of animal life, 

 protozoa. The most recent investigation at this station goes 

 to show that it is another form of protozoa rather than the 

 amoeba. They do not know exactly what the life cycle of that 

 parasite is. They do not know how it is transmitted, — 

 possibly by common fowls. When it infects the poults, 

 about the first thing noticed is that they begin to droop, refuse 

 food, and in some cases the heads get black, consequently 

 that name black-head. After a short time, either a few days 

 or a few weeks or months, they die. When you make an 

 autopsy, you find hardened spots on and in the liver, which 

 under the microscope show these low forms of animal life 

 present, and you will also find them in other parts of the 

 body. You will also find the cgeca prominently distended 

 with gas, and if cut open you will find the mucous mem- 

 brane eroded and ulcerated, and you will find inflam- 

 mation in the intestines and a condition of decay. Little 

 progress has been made towards the eradication or prevention 



