632 INFECTIOUS DISEASES PRODUCED BY PROTOZOA 



Prognosis.— Due to the character of the disease and the 

 high mortality the prognosis is unfavorable. It will depend 

 to some extent on the age of the chicks and the virulency 

 of the infection. 



Treatment.— Dietetic— Withhold all food from the chicks 

 during the first two or three days. They have sufficient food 

 from the yolk of the egg to sustain them for this period. 

 Afterward feed small amounts of egg yolk, or bread and milk. 

 Buttermilk or sour milk is highly recommended on account 

 of the acid it contains producing antiseptic action on the 

 bowel contents. A small amount of lactic acid added to 

 sweet milk will have a similar action. Buttermilk tablets are 

 recommended so that a uniform quantity of sour milk may 

 be kept for their use daily. These when added to sweet milk 

 bring about sufficient fermentation in twelve to twenty-four 

 hours. .It is quite important that they do not receive too 

 much food during the first week to bring on digestive dis- 

 turbances, thereby lowering the natural resistance of the 

 chick. 



Medical.— Zinc sulphocarbolate or sodium sulphocarbo- 

 late has given excellent results. It is best given by dissolving 

 the preparation in water and allowing the chicks to drink 

 of the solution freely. Each chick should receive from three 

 to five grains of the compound one or twice daily. When the 

 diarrhea is severe iron sulphate in the drinking water (30.0 

 to 4000.0) is beneficial as an antiseptic and astringent. 



In the coccidial form the following formula is highly 

 recommended : 



1$ — Potassi diohromate . . 12.0 



Water . . 250.0 



Misce et fiat solutio. 

 Sig. — Use one teaspoonful to 1 quart of water for chicks one week old. 

 Younger chicks half the quantity. Allow them to drink of this solution 

 freely. 



Prevention.— Much can be done to prevent the disease 

 developing in young chicks: (a) All incubators should be 

 thoroughly disinfected by washing all parts of them with a 

 liquor cresolis compositus solution (3 per cent.). Allow them 

 to dry out thoroughly before using. Another very effective 



