35i 



FOWL CHOLERA. 



The Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruc 

 tion have recently issued a leaflet (No. 25) dealing with fowl 

 cholera. As the symptoms as well as the methods of treatment 

 and prevention of this disease are practically the same as those 

 of contagious or bacterial enteritis, the leaflet deals with both 

 diseases for the purpose of simplicity. 



Treatment of diseased birds is rarely successful, but it is 

 possible that many outbreaks would be checked and much 

 trouble and annoyance saved if, on the first appearance of the 

 disease, affected birds were killed and prompt action taken to 

 secure a thorough disinfection of the premises. The disease is 

 very contagious, and, in most cases, fatal. The ravages of the 

 disease are most apparent amongst flocks of laying hens, those 

 of all ages being affected ; but the younger ones are, perhaps, 

 more susceptible. Other classes of poultry, viz., turkeys, ducks, 

 and geese are, however, not immune. 



Cholera is due to the presence of a germ, and, as with all such 

 diseases, during treatment the chief efforts should be directed 

 towards an improvement of the sanitary conditions. Stagnant 

 water, sewage, and drainage from manure heaps, or filth of any 

 kind, should not be allowed to collect in places to which fowls 

 have access, as such conditions render the birds unhealthy, and 

 are always a possible source of contamination. 



The disease usually appears during the spring, and it may be 

 due to the introduction of fresh fowls from contaminated stocks ; 

 or the germs may be carried by dogs or other animals, or even 

 on the clothes or boots of persons who travel direct from an 

 infected run to a place where the disease has hitherto been 

 unknown. Wild birds may also serve as active agents in 

 spreading the disease. The most common source of infection is 



