352 



Fowl Cholera. 



eating blades of grass and other food which have come in con- 

 tact with the droppings of diseased fowls ; or by drinking 

 contaminated water. The bodies of all birds which die from 

 the disease should either be burnt or buried deeply and covered 

 with quicklime ; but burning is strongly recommended. 



The symptoms of cholera are as follows : — 



At first the number of affected birds is limited ; perhaps two 

 or three in the flock are one evening noticed to be listless, 

 ruffled in plumage, refusing to eat, and drinking large quantities 

 of water. If carefully watched these birds are seen to be affected 

 with diarrhoea ; and this is the most important outward symptom. 

 The excrement is of a characteristic yellowish colour, though 

 sometimes it may be more or less greenish. The comb and 

 wattles may be either pale, or dull purple in colour ; more often 

 the latter. These are the first signs that will be noticed by an 

 observant poultry keeper. If, however, only one bird is at first 

 attacked, it may escape detection while ailing, and one or more 

 birds lying dead under the perches in the morning, with a 

 quantity of the unpleasant yellowish or greenish coloured 

 excrement near them, may be the first indication of the existence 

 of the disease on the premises. During the day other birds will 

 exhibit the symptoms described above, and in the last stages 

 they will be found showing signs of weakness, and, perhaps, 

 sleepiness, until finally death occurs. Some birds may live for 

 two or three days after they are seen to be affected, during this 

 time eating little or no food, remaining inert, drinking large 

 quantities of water, frequently voiding excrement characteristic 

 of the disease, and eventually dying from exhaustion. Cases of 

 recovery are not unknown, but where outbreaks are caused by 

 the more virulent forms of the disease the victims usually die in 

 from eight to twenty hours after they are affected. 



The objects to be kept in view when combating this disease 

 are — isolation of affected birds, disinfection of houses, runs, &c, 

 and cleanliness in all things. Immediately isolate any fowls 

 which exhibit symptoms of the disease, and give nutritious 

 easily-digested foods, such as boiled rice, bread, pollards, or 

 oatmeal mixed into a soft paste with boiled milk. The runs and 

 houses should at once be thoroughly disinfected. A 5 per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid is suitable for this purpose, but any 



