BACILLARY WHITE DIARRHEA IN YOUNG CHICKS. 47 



and most enthusiastic poultry raisers in the State of Massachusetts in 

 both Hues. The results obtained indicate that infection is found in all 

 tjT^es of breeding birds. — utility, fancy, birds raised in the State, birds 

 brought into the State from other States, — and we have found it in stock 

 which has been sent in from Europe. 



Results of Application of these Methods for preventing and 



ERADICATING BaCILLARY WhITE DiARRHEA OF YoUNG ChICKS. 



After studying the charts it can be seen that in all districts of Massa- 

 chusetts the organism has been found in young chicks, and also laying 

 hens have been tested and found to be infected. For example, in District 

 1 a representative flock contained 50 per cent, of positive reactors, which 

 would indicate that throughout this whole district the infection was 

 general. In District 5, representative flocks showed that 22.1 per cent, 

 of breeding birds were infected. From this we are led to believe that there 

 is only a moderate degree of infection, but examination of dead chicks 

 from this area of the State indicates heaxy infection. In District 8, 17 

 per cent, of the breeding birds were infected in the representative flock 

 chosen. From our work on chick examinations we are led to believe that 

 this is indicative of the conditions in this locality. These results need no 

 comment. They at least show that bacillary white diarrhea is widely 

 distributed. They show, also, that being so generally scattered over the 

 various areas of the State poultrymen should be made aware of its preva- 

 lence and walling to co-operate in every waj^ to stamp it out. 



It can be easily seen that in order to do this eggs used for hatching must 

 come from sound, uninfected stock. This really is the only basis for im- 

 provement. The infected individual must be sought and eliminated from 

 the breeding flock. 



At the present time poultry raisers may feel that their labors are hope- 

 less if white diarrhea should make its appearance in their young cliicks. 

 It is not the object of this paper to discourage present and prospective 

 poultiy raisers, but, with our methods of study, detection and control of 

 this disease, to encourage greater effort in the industry. By thorough 

 co-operation of poultrymen and laboratory workers a great improvement 

 in raising young cliicks must follow. 



This infection is readily transmitted through eggs, day-old chicks and 

 mature stock. Therefore, to insure against the infection poultrymen 

 should buy only from stock known to be free from the infection. If all 

 breeders would have their birds tested, and infected birds eliminated, 

 their customers would be insured against buying infected stock. In other 

 words, all stock should bear a stamp indicating tested and found negative. 



Wherever the blood test has been made and the positive reactors elim- 

 inated a marked improvement has resulted in the young chicks hatched 

 thereafter. Every poultryman co-operating with the Department thus 

 for the improvement of his flock conditions by these methods has been 



