ROUP 493 



both of these forms is probably caused by an organism, but 

 investigators are not agreed as to whether it is a bacterium 

 or a protozoan in the first place, and those who are sure 

 that it is caused by a bacterium are divided as to which one 

 of several is really specific. Indeed, it appears from the 

 information at hand that roup may be caused by any one 

 of several organisms, just as in the case of pneumonia in 

 the human family. From the practical stand-point, aside 

 from the introduction of a virulent form of disease through 

 the purchase of an infected bird and by other similar means, 

 the causes of the appearance of roup are largely predisposing 

 ones, such as bad housing conditions, consisting of dampness, 

 inadequate ventilation, and crowded quarters, while if any- 

 thing, more important still is the lack of vitality in the 

 breeding stock. 



The symptoms of this general group of diseases designated 

 as roup are well known. It may manifest itself through 

 sneezing or by a watery discharge fi'om the nostrils or eyes, 

 or the first symptom noticed may be a rattling in the throat 

 as the bird breathes. Later on all of these symptoms may 

 put in an appearance, accompanied by a progressive thicken- 

 ing of the nasal discharge, until it entirely closes the nostrils. 

 The discharge from the eye may also thicken to a cheesy 

 consistency, accumulating in sufficient mass to entirely close 

 the eye and have the appearance of a tumor. In the so-called 

 diphtheritic roup, clearly defined patches, commonly called 

 cankers, put in their appearance on the inside of the mouth 

 and on the tongue. 



While most of the treatises on poultry diseases recom- 

 mend certain treatments for birds showing the different 

 manifestations of roup, and almost without exception 

 emphasize the desirability of disinfecting the poultry house 

 whenever roup appears among the birds, practically, it is 

 impossible for the general farm producer to carry out such 

 a program. When roup is discovered in his flock, he should 

 always isolate, kill, and burn the affected individual. This 

 should be done for two reasons. One is that the bird may be 

 a source of danger to the remainder of the flock, and second, 

 the very fact that one individual succumbs to infection. 



