POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 
and showing evidences of distress. For 
post-mortem symptoms see page 112. 
Cause. A contagious disease, due to 
bacteria, that, owing to infection of soil and 
drinking water by birds suffering from the 
disease, spreads rapidly through a flock. 
It is often introduced by the purchase of an 
infected bird that appears at the time of 
purchase to be well. 
Treatment. Prevention by strict sani- 
tary measures is what must be aimed at. It 
is believed that no cure is known for gen- 
uine cases of cholera. Isolate all new birds 
brought into the flock, especially when 
cases of cholera are reported in the neigh- 
borhood. The bodies of birds that have 
died of this disease are best burnt without 
delay. The germ of cholera appears to be 
both persistent and easily spread, and too 
much stress cannot be laid on the necessity 
of preventing its introduction, failing that, 
of quickly stamping it out. The sacrifice 
of a few birds to prevent the spread of the 
disease will be well repaid, for it has been 
necessary on occasions to kill a whole flock. 
40 
