13
fully established in the early stage of infection both from lack of accurate infor-
mation and want of cadavers. The disease was confirmed by usual laboratory
tests at a later stage when the characteristic lesions were found prominent in pro-
tracted cases. In the case of early mortality, films from heart blood of affected
cases usually proved "negative".
(ii) Salmonellosis was identified in two reports. The outbreaks were con-
trolled after some preliminary loss, but adoption of strict sanitary measures,
removal of overcrowding and dividing the flock into small units, restraining the
birds from going to pond and, internally, one Cibazol tablet a day in the mash,
liberal supply of greens and soluthiazole in drinking water, 2.5 gms. in a gallon.
(iii) Helminthiasis.—Heavy mortality due to parasitic infection was noticed
in three reports. Quite a few Catatropis Verrucosa were found in the coecal scrap-
ings of a number of ducks examined in two separate reports. The coeca of
affected birds were found inflamed and the mucus membrane showed occasional
areas of erosion. Hexachlorethylene in capsule was prescribed, but the mortality
continued in those that had already taken infection. The ducks were advised
to be removed elsewhere but was not possible from lack of space. The treatment
was, however, continued but deaths continued to occur for over a period of one
month during which about 75 per cent. of the stock, mostly young ones, died.
In another report Harteria gallinarum eggs were found in fairly frequent
number from coecal scraping of affected ducks. A few termites were also seen in
the smear preparations. Incidentally, it may be stated that this was the first
incidence of its kind recorded here during the past nine years.
Phenothiazine (0.5 gms. per dose) prepared in mash was given and the rate of
mortality appreciably abated within a week after the first application. The dosage
was repeated after the 2nd week and no fresh case was subsequently reported.
4. Tuberculosis.—There was no report on the presence of Tuberculosis
during the year. Large-scale tests could not be taken up.
5. Parasites.—Of the drugs used, Phenothiazine appeared one of the best
in nematode infection. The remedy was prescribed with success where individual
birds were fed by hand at the dose rate of 0.5 gms. per adult bird, given in pill
form in preference to mash treatment as no satisfactory result was achieved in
all cases from inadequate drug intake. Single application was helpful in milk
cases but in more severe cases a repetition was necessary after 3 weeks. Hexa-
chlorethylene in capsule was found not effective in Trematode infection.
In Tapework infection, Cestarsol did not appear to be a very reliable remedy
in an outbreak caused mostly by Raillietina amoebotoenia and Davinea. The
following recipe was tried with some measure of success but not entirely. Ext.
felicis Liq.—2 minim., 01. Chenapod—5 minim., Pulv. areca—3 grains; Lard—
qs. This was made into a pill, sufficient for single application of an adult sized
bird. The dosage was regulated to half for smaller birds, and given in the
morning after keeping the birds on starvation diet the previous night. The
recipe was repeated once every week, or sometimes according to severity of infec-
tion twice a week, but not more than 2 to 3 applications.
Sulphamezathine was found quite suitable for control of Coccidiosis D.D.T.
and Gammaxene, though expensive and not within easy reach of ordinary people
nevertheless, were found suitable chiefly for soil application and keeping away
flies, etc. In the eradication of ectoparasites, Gammaxene was preferable.
6. Miscellaneous.—Seventy-two outbreak reports were received during the
year as per Table. Besides these, numerous calls from general public were
attended purely on aspects of Poultry Husbandry.