INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POULTRY 325 



The treatment is preventive. A frequent eleaninc; and dis- 

 infecting of the poultry house and surroundings, avoiding the 

 feeding of spoiled feed, or allowing the drinking fountains and 

 feeding places to become filthy, are effective preventive measures. 

 Sick birds should be either isolated and quarantined, or de- 

 stroyed. Antiseptics may be given with the feed and drinking 

 water. 



Avian Diphtheria, Contagious Epithelioma (Roup). — This 

 infectious disease of poultry is especially common in chickens. 

 It is characterized by a catarrhal and diphtheritic inflammation 

 of the mucous membranes of the head. 



The specific cause of roup has not been determined. The 

 disease-producing germs are present in the discharges from the 

 nostrils, eyes and mouth, and the body excretions of sick birds. 

 Birds having a mild form of roup, or that have recently re- 

 covered from it, are common carriers of the disease. The dis- 

 ease is usually introduced into the flock by allowing birds ex- 

 posed at poultry shows, or recently purchased breeding stock 

 from an infected flock, to mix with the healthy birds. 



The predisposing causes are very important factors in the 

 development of roup. Cold, damp, draughty, poorly ventilated 

 poultry houses cause the disease to spread rapidly and become 

 highly acute. 



The symptoms differ in character in the different outbreaks 

 of the disease. Usually the first symptoms noticed are sneez- 

 ing, dulness, diminished appetite and a watery discharge from 

 the nostrils and eyes. Later the eyelids may become swollen and 

 the nostrils plugged by the discharge from the inflamed mem- 

 branes. If the mouth is examined at this time, an accumulation 

 of mucus and patches of diphtheritic or false membranes are 

 found. In the acute form of roup the false membranes and 

 yellowish, cheesy-like material accumulate on the different 

 mucous membranes, and interfere with vision, breathing and 



