SUMMARY 
FOWL TYPHOID 
1. Avian typhoid is a particularly virulent contagium attacking principally 
the domestic fowl. The causative agent is of bacterial origin—Eberthella 
sanguinaria (Moore). 
2. The disease is probably prevalent in all countries where poultry hus¬ 
bandry is practiced. It is widely distributed in North Carolina where it 
occurs during the late fall, winter and early spring. 
3. The disease has been the subject of investigation as Avian Typhoid 
since 1888. Investigations prior to that time were made under the assump¬ 
tion that the disease was true cholera. 
4. Avian typhoid is non-pathogenic to man. Chickens are very susceptible 
to the disease; turkeys and guineas are less susceptible; pigeons, ducks and 
geese are only slightly susceptible. Young chicks probably are not sus¬ 
ceptible under field conditions, though the disease may be produced artifi¬ 
cially. Rabbits, guinea pigs and mice are slightly susceptible under labora¬ 
tory conditions. The causative organism has many features in common with 
members of the colon-typhoid group. 
5. The disease in the field usually has a mortality rate of about 30 per 
cent, although instances have been recorded in which the mortality was 
100 per cent. It has a progressive spread from flock to flock. Within the 
flock, unless checked, the disease spreads until all susceptible birds are 
affected. 
6. The means of dissemination from flock to flock is through infected soil 
on common range grounds; through surface washing, and through conveyors 
of the disease, such as man and animals. In the flock, the disease is spread 
through infected soil, infected food material and infected drinking water, 
and through eating the blood of birds dying of the disease. There is slight 
possibility of spread of the disease through actual contact. 
7. The carrier of avian typhoid is a flock menace. Sparrows and pigeons 
are proven means of conveying the disease. 
8. The disease has pronounced clinical symptoms, chief of which is the 
elevation of temperature, aenemic condition of the face, comb and wattles, 
and a sulphur colored discharge. The dead birds show characteristic an¬ 
atomical changes, these being pronounced in the liver, spleen, kidneys anr 1 
intestines. There is alteration in the blood composition, with a pronounced 
increase in the number of leucocytes, and decrease in erythrocytes. The 
hemoglobin is reduced. 
9. Typhoid may be produced artificially by any method that brings virulent 
organisms of avian typhoid into the alimentary tract or introduces them 
into the blood stream. 
10. Typhoid may be controlled through sanitation, isolation or destruc¬ 
tion of suspects, safe disposition of the carcasses of birds dying of the dis¬ 
ease, disinfection of drinking water, and the prophylactic vaccination of well 
birds. Vaccination produces an immunity of unknown duration, but the 
single inoculation should immunize the bird for the period of duration of 
the disease in the flock. 
