ROUP 



THE SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF THE 

 VARIOUS TYPES OF THIS MALIGNANT DISEASE 



PROF. F. C. HARRISON AND DR. H. STREIT 



ONE of the most widely spread and destructive diseases affecting 

 domestic fowls is commonly known as Roup, Canker, or Dis- 

 temper. By some, the disease is called Cancer of the Mouth, 

 Throat, etc., or even by the name of Fowl Diphtheria; but all 

 these different names are given to the same disease, according as some 

 particular symptom is more or less prominent. 



This disease is probably one of the greatest hindrances in the poultry 

 business. The direct losses from the disease vary greatly in different epi- 

 demics. Thus in a virulent outbreak there may be many deaths in a short time ; 

 while, in another; a flock may become infected and only a few birds die. 

 Of much greater importance are the indirect losses; and these are apt to be 

 overlooked by farmers or those who keep only a few fowls and pay but little 

 attention to them. The diseased birds recover very slowly; and they re- 

 main thin, anaemic, and unfit for egg-production, fattening or breeding — 

 eating just as much as if they were normal and living at the expense of their 

 keeper. 



General Condition of Roupy Fowls 



The ge'neral condition of roupy birds varies very much. After the 

 first symptom of the disease, which is usually a putrid catarrh from 'the 

 nostrils, the affected fowl is generally restless, separates from other mem- 

 bers of the flock, becomes dull, cowers in the corner of the coop or mopes 

 in the corner of the pen, with its head drawn close to its body and often 

 covered with its wings. 



If there is a severe discharge from the nostrils or eyes, then the feath- 

 ers upon the wings or back are likely to be smeared with it, stuck together, 

 and after some time fall out; and the eyes often shut, the lids being glued 

 together by the sticky discharge from them. 



A fowl in a sleepy condition, or moping as described, frequently rouses 

 itself for a time, . takes food, and especially water, and then gradually re- 

 turns to the apathetic condition. 



Many fowls having the disease in a chronic form keep their normal 

 appetite for a long time, and seem very little disturbed physically, whilst 

 others, especially when the face or eyes become swollen, lose their appe- 

 tite, grow thinner and thinner, and finally become too weak to stand or 

 walk around, when they lie down and die in a few days. During the last 

 stage diarrhoea, with offensive yellow or green discharge, often sets in and 

 causes death in a short time. 



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