36 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



prevention c f roup are tlie same as tor other contagious 

 diseases. Exclude the contagion by every means that 

 can be devised. Do not allow poultry, animals or men 

 to come directly from an infected premises to a healthy 

 flock. Be careful in buying new birds, and these as 

 well as all birds that have been to shows should be 

 isolated for two or three weeks until their bealthfulness 

 is demonstrated. If the disease once appears in the 

 flock use disinfectants freely and isolate diseased indi - 

 viduals. If the birds are not very valuable it is some- 

 times better to dispose of every one, and after disin - 

 fection begin with new blood. The contagion is per- 

 sistent and can only be eradicated by the most thorough 

 measures. 



The medical treatment may be undertaken with good 

 chances of success, but requires time and constant 

 attention. Whether it will pay, depends upon the 

 value of the birds and of the services of the party who 

 cares for them. Antiseptic and healing applications 

 are indicated to the interior of the nostrils, the cleft of 

 the palate, the eye, and other affected parts. If swell- 

 ings containing thick pus or cheesy matter form upon 

 the head, they should be opened with a sharp instru- 

 ment, the contents removed and the wound treated 

 with antiseptics. Antiseptic powders are convenient 

 for treating the wounds caused in such operations. 

 Among these iodoform and aristol are the best. The 

 wound may be kept filled with either of these powders 

 until it is healed. The antiseptic solutions may be 

 injected into the nostrils or into the cleft in the roof of 

 the mouth which communicates with the nostrils, by 

 using a small syringe, a medicine dropper, or even an oil 

 can, such as is used for oiling machinery. A syringe is, 

 of course, the best. The solutions most suited are boric 



