SOD DISEASE OF CHICKENS 
(Vesicular I) ermatitis V' ) 
Synonyms — Foot and Head Disease — Foot and Head Blister 
' History — For the past 7 or 8 years letters coming in from east- 
ern Colorado during May, June and July have described a peculiar 
disease affecting the feet and heads of chickens, which descriptions 
did not conform to the symptoms exhibited by any previously known 
malady. It was frequently mentioned that the toes became scabby 
and that the chickens became blind. 
Finally about six years ago several of these affected birds were 
sent to us for examination. On account of the condition of the feet, 
we suspected that they had been walking in some caustic material 
such as lye or lime, but further information gave no clew to any such 
experience. M^e were informed by those writing that in many cases 
information had been sought through poultry journals and from 
other experiment stations, but in no case had any one, to whom 
application had been made, been able to satisfactorily recognize 
the malady. 
Owing to the continuance of the letters and the apparent serious- 
ness of the disease, we began some three years ago to make a sys- 
tematic investigation with a view to setting down the more im- 
portant facts, and if possible, to determine the cause. 
As a result of these investigations, we believe the disease to 
have existed in eastern Colorado for at least twenty years. We 
have the statement of Mr. Gus Setterburg of Elba, Colorado, that 
he has observed the disease practically every year for the past 
thirteen years. Many who live in this district tell us that several 
years ago their chickens had the disease but that in recent years 
they have had no difficulty with it. It appears to be most prevalent 
during the months of May, June and July and is largely a disease 
of small chickens during the first month of life, but does in some 
cases affect old hens as well. 
So far as our observations go the disease is quite prevalent 
throughout all of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains wherever 
prairie sod remains unbroken. We have never had a report of it 
from the Western Slope of this state. The disease appears also to 
* Since this disease has never been previously ’described in any literature to 
which we have access, we find it necessary to select a name for it. There is no 
name in common use even among- those who suffer from its effects. We have been 
wont to speak of it as foot and head disease but since our observations seem to 
indicate that it is also associated with virgin sod, we have selected the name which 
appears at the head of the pamphlet. The term “Vesicular Dermatitis” is used 
technically because of the inflammatory condition of the skin of the face and feet, 
which is so frequently associated with the formation of blisters. 
