DISEASES 
The bacteria which cause disease, like other living organ- 
isms, may be killed by poisoning. Such poisons are known 
as disinfectants. If it were possible to kill the bacteria within 
the animal, the curing of disease would be a simple matter, 
but unfortunately the common chemical poisons that kill 
germs kill the animal also. The only thing that can be relied 
upon to kill disease germs within the animal, is a counter- 
poison developed by the animal itself and known as anti-toxin. 
Such anti-toxins can be produced artificially and are used to 
cambat certain diseases, as diphtheria and small-pox in human 
beings and blackleg in cattle. Such methods of combating 
poultry diseases have not been developed, and due to the small 
value of an individual fowl would probably not be commercial- 
ly useful even if successful from a scientific standpoint. The 
only available method of fighting contagious diseases of poul- 
try is to destroy the disease germs before they enter the fowls 
and to remove the causes which make the fowl susceptible to 
the disease. 
Contagious diseases of poultry may be grouped into two 
general classes: First, those highly contagious; second, those 
contracted only by fowls that are in a weakened condition. 
To the first class belong the severe epidemics, of which 
chicken-cholera is the most destructive. 
Chicken-Cholera. 
The European fowl-cholera has only been rarely identified 
in this country. Other diseases similar in symptoms and effect 
are confused with this. As the treatment should be similar 
the identification of the diseases is not essential. 
Yellow or greenish-colored droppings, listless attitude, re- 
fusal of food and great thirst are the more readily observed 
symptoms. The disease runs a rapid course, death resulting 
in about three days. The death rate is very high. The dis- 
ease is spread by droppings and dead birds, and through feed 
and water. To stamp out the disease kill or burn or bury all 
sick chickens, and disinfect the premises frequently and 
thoroughly. A spray made of one-half gallon carbolic acid, 
one-half gallon of phenol and twenty gallons of water may be 
used. Corrosive sublimate, 1 part in 5000 parts of water, 
should be used as drinking water. This is not to cure sick 
birds, but to prevent the disease from spreading by means of 
the drinking vessels. Food should be given in troughs ar- 
ranged so that the chickens cannot infect the food with the 
feet. All this work must be done thoroughly, and even then 
considerable loss can be expected before the disease is 
stamped out. If cholera has a good start in a flock of chickens 
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