Nov. 1906.] 



406 



LIVE STOCK. 



Poultry Notes. 



By G. W. Sturgess, m.b.c.v.s. 



DISEASES OP POULTRY.-( Continued.) 



Diphtheria. — (Continued.) 

 Treatment is frequently useless and is only of benefit when commenced 

 in the very earliest stage of the disease. The ulcers and swellings may be cleaned 

 with a weak solution of either Cyllin, Carbolic Acid, Permanganate of Potash, 

 Hydrogen Peroxide, Lysol, Tincture of Iodine, or Corrosive Sublimate. Any loose 

 growths should be removed. A strong mixture of Alum, Boracic Acid and Glycerine 

 may then be painted over the partly raw surface. Tumours over the face should 

 be lanced and their contents squeezed out. Perchloride of Iron Solution may be 

 used to check bleeding and a solution of Lysol or Cyllin or Corrosive Sublimate to 

 wash out the cavities and ldof orm dusted over. The eyes may be cleaned with 

 Boracic Acid lotion or solution of Corrosive Sublimate 1 in 4000 of water. Internally 

 a mixture of Chlorate of Potash, Salicylic Acid and Perchloride of Iron may be 

 given. Soft food must be given, and stimulants if necessary. For valuable birds 

 injections of diphtheria antitoxic serum may be tried. 



The second form of diphtheritic inflammation mentioned is due to small 



parasites, gregarines or psorospermia. The symptoms are much the same as in the 

 first form. The skin is more often affected — the base of the beak, nostrils, wattles 

 earlobes, angles of the beak being commonly attacked. 



The disease is easily distinguished from Chicken pox. The first signs are 

 small seed-like nodules, soon increasing in size and becoming covered by a yellowish 

 red scab. If the eyes are affected they become swollen and closed and may be 

 destroyed. Death may take place in four or five weeks. The treatment is much 

 the same as for the first form — the diseased parts may be painted with Cyllin, Lysol 

 or Boracic Acid, Alum and Glycerine mixture. Glycerine may also be given 

 internally with such medicines as Chlorate of Potash and Salicylic Acid. 



Suppression.— All sick birds must be isolated, dead fowls burned or buried 

 deeply with plenty of disinfectants. The runs should be thoroughly cleaned and 

 disinfected. When new birds are purchased they should be carefully examined 

 and suspicion aroused if there is any discharge from the nose or flow of tears. 



There is another disease produced by parasites which commonly attacks 

 poultry and resembles diphtheria. It is due to a mould fungus (thought by some to 

 be Monilia Candida). It grows on the mucous membrane of the mouth in small 

 patches of a greyish or yellowish colour resembling paste. If a patch is scraped off 

 the skin is seen to be reddened. 



The symptoms are dullness, emaciation, sour smell from the mouth, and 

 there may be convulsions and death. Examination of the mouth at once shows the 

 fungus growing in patches. It may be mistaken for diphtheria, however micros- 

 copical examination will reveal the parasitic filaments. 



Treatment:— Remove the deposits in the mouth gently and paint the diseased 

 patches with Alum, Boracic Acid and Glycerine mixture or turpentine and sweet oil 

 and keep clean and dress daily for some days. The food must be soft and nutritious, 

 and iron tonics may be given. 



