380 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
CHOLERA.—HEN DISTEMPER. 
Though this disease is of comparatively recent appearance, it is the 
most dreaded of all the maladies which afflict poultry. Its nature is per- 
haps malarial, and it is certainly epidemic and highly contagious. Owing, 
however, to its obscure origin and character, any disorder that is not under- 
stood is quite likely to be called cholera. 
Causes.—lt is caused, or at least promoted, by over-crowding in the 
coop (though it invades flocks which have extensive runs), and its develop- 
ment is favored by filth, unwholesome and irregular feed, exposure in 
damp, malarial localities, stagnant drinking-water, extremes of heat and 
dryness, and other unfavorable conditions mentioned in the opening re- 
marks on health. It attacks fowls of all ages, but more readily the older 
ones, and the very large and high-fed are especially liable to become its 
victims. It is a well-grounded suspicion that the droppings contain the 
germs of the disease, and some confidently maintain that it is the sole me- 
dium of its infection. It is certain that special pains should be taken to re- 
move them and render them ‘harmless by carbolic acid or, still better, by 
covering them deeply with the plow. 
Symptoms.—Owing to the liability of confusion with other diseases a 
special study of the following symptoms is of the first moment. The fowl 
at first- becomes weak, sometimes extremely so, staggers, and perhaps falls; 
is dejected, sleepy, moping, and does not plume itself; has much thirst and 
fever; gapes frequently; discharges from the bowels, mild at first, become 
yellowish-green or like sulphur and water, growing thinner, greener and 
frothy in the later stages, causing increased prostration, and persisting until 
death in fatal cases; the skin about the vent perhaps very red, with black 
spots; the animal may be “tucked up” with cramps; the crop fills with 
wind and mucus, making the breathing fast and heavy; the fowl finally 
fails to digest its food; the eyes are closed a few hours before death. Among 
the later symptoms is the change of the comb and wattles to a pale or dark 
hue. If the bird is opened after death, the liver will be found enlarged, 
congested, fuli of dark blood, show a dark-green color, and be so tender 
that it can be easily crushed with the fingers; the gizzard will be more or 
less softened, often much contracted, and be filled with dried or greenish 
food; the crop and intestines will perhaps be filled with sour, fermenting 
food and mucus, possibly ulcerated, the intestines being much inflamed; the 
blood will be darker and thicker than usual; the lungs and other organs 
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