DIPRTHERiri C ROUP. 7 



secondary part. Loffler has, I believe, described 

 bacilli in this avian affection, and states that they are 

 always present in the false membranes of diphtheria. 

 Nevertheless direct inoculations of some of these 

 simple protozoan forms has given the subject the 

 disease ; and as even the opponents of this theory 

 always acknowledge their presence, we must conclude 

 that they are sometimes, if not in every case, the 

 cause of this often serious malady in poultry. The 

 subject requires much further investigation and 

 experiment. 



One thing we know for certain ; and that is, that 

 the disease is most contagious, and often spreads 

 rapidly through a poultry-run. Unless treated in 

 time it generally ends fatally. 



Prevention and Treatment. 



One of the most important steps to take in regard 

 to this disease is to ensure the complete isolation of 

 the affected bird, as the disease is highly contagious. 

 As a rule it appears in an epizootic form amongst 

 poultry. This can often be prevented, however, by 

 the immediate isolation of the patients and the appli- 

 cation of salicylic acid to the fowls' drinking-water, 

 which should be very limited, and watering the 

 ground of the poultry-yard or pen with a 2 p. c. 

 solution of sulphuric acid. About one pint of 10 p. c. 

 salicylic acid (dissolved in alcohol) to an equal 

 quantity of water should be given the fowls for 

 drinking for some days, as the acid destroys any 



