RELIABLE POULTRY REMEDIES 



DIPHTHERITIC ROUP 



Diphtheritic roup or diphtheria is a contagioua disease affecting poul- 

 try and is prevalent in winter. While it is probably a distinct disease from 

 roup, it is closely allied to, and may co-exist with it. It is often difficult 

 to tell just where roup leaves off and diphtheria begins. When roup is not 

 present the "roup smell" is absent, but a foul odor always accomjianies 

 diphtheria. 



Diphtheria affects the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, nasal 

 passages and eyes. It is characterized by the appearance of pearly gray 

 or yellowish patches, which form on the mucous parts mentioned. The 

 patches of "false membrane" are small and scattered at first, but have a 

 tendency to run together. Any attempt to remove this membrane is fol- 

 lowed by bleeding. The breath is very foul, owing to decomposition of 

 the discharges and portions of the membrane. 



Symptoms 



Fowls in apparently good health become suddenly ill, lose appetite 

 and appear dumpish. Eyes and nose may or may not show a frothy or 

 glairy discharge in the early stage of disease. Fowl's body and legs are 

 hot, comb is hot and deep red, and later becomes pale and drooping. Fre- 

 quently cough with sharp "pip" sound, or difficult breathing and livid- 

 ness of face and comb. Throat red and inflamed, with small pearly or 

 wash-leather colored patches'on the back part of the throat or about the cleft 

 of the palate. Patches increase rapidly in size and often run together; 

 may grow rapidly, fiUing the mouth and throat, and causing death from suf- 

 focation. Any attempt to remove membrane results in bleeding. (If the 

 membrane comes away easily and does not leave a raw bleeding surface, 

 the disease is not diphtheria). Great weakness from constitutional poison- 

 ing. Membrane may extend into the windpipe and cause death from 

 suffocation, or may extend into the nasal passages and to the eyes, causing 

 swollen face and head. Breath always has a foul odor. This is a decidedly 

 different odor from the "roup smell." 



Roup may have any or all of these symptoms common to diphtheria, 

 but does not have the following sequalae which belongs to diphtheria. Par- 

 alysis of the heart may appear at any stage of diphtheria and cause death. 

 Cases which have apparently recovered may develop paralysis of the throat, 

 which prevents swallowing, or the fowl may lose the use of legs or wings. 

 The paralysis is not necessarily permanent. One attack of diphtheria pre- 

 disposes to another, and a fowl should not be considered well until at least 

 six months have elapsed since the last symptoms were observed, with no 

 recurrence of the symptoms. The fowl's system is thoroughly poisoned 

 by the disease, and complete recovery is a matter of a very long time. 



Treatment 



Undoubtedly the best treatment is to kill the sick birds as soon as 

 the disease is recognized and burn the bodies. One attack of the disease 



20 



