Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-05-25
Chicken Cholera.

III inc American poultry ward rs THIS.
and owing TO this dread, fowls are often
thought to have the cholera when. in
reality. the disease is simply diarrh9a,
or IA severe form of roup.
One of the first symptoms of the
genuine fowl cholera is to be found in
the eNcrement. In health, the portion
of this excrement which comes from the
kidneys is white, and is mixed with the
bowel excretiOns, which are darker
colored. When the fowl is attacked
with cholera, however. the excrements
come almost altogether from the kid
neys, and are semi-liquid, and of a
greenish or yellowish color. This change
Of color is stated by DIR. ID. Z. Salmon.
who has recently given this disease a
thorough investigation, under direction
of the Department of Agriculture, at
Washington, to make its appearance
generally before the excremeni becomes
liquid. and while the fowl seems in per-
feet health. Sometimes the first symp-
tom is diarrh9a. but in all cases this
very soon sets in; the excrement is
voided frequently. and consists largely
of that from the kidneys. called by DR..
Salmon, the urates," which is sus-
pended in thin, transparent mucus.
and has deep. yellow coloration. which
in later stages OF the disease changes to
a greenish. or even deep green color
The fowl becomes stupid, sleeping most
of the time. is generally quite thirsty;
its temperature rises TO l09 or 10 de-
grees; the comb and waffle lose their
bright color and turn pale. oreven dark.
When a fowl that has died with cholera
is cut open, the liver is usually found to
be greatly enlarged. and so degenerated
that it may be crushed between the fin
gers. and the gall-bladder is distended
with thick. dark bile.
When this disease has once fastened
upon chicken. there is no cure. The
disease will run its course in a few DAYS.
and occasionally a fowl will recover;
but these cases are rare. The remedy,
therefore. is prevention. 1t has been
conclusively shown that the disease is
due TO a peculiar poison-probably to the
organic poison called Bacterium, which
has been found to be the cause of the
so-called anthrax diseases, and which is
of a similar nature to that of the Yeast
plant. This poison is seldom. if ever.
generated afresh. but the disease is
propagated. either by direct contact, or
by the mediation of birds. insects, men,
animals. or drinking water. DIR. 5. j.
Parker writes to the Country Gentleman
that he has traced an outbreak of fowl
cholera in his poultry yards TO the rob-
ins. which he found dying in consider
able numbers shortly before the disease
broke out. The very similar disease.
swine cholera. has undoubtedly been |
carried long distances by the water of |
streams; and this disease bears the fur
ther resemblance TO fowl cholera that |
the first observable symptom is usually |
the change in the color of the excre- |
ment. which in this case becomes al |
most black.
As the disease may be carried to our |
yards through SO many hidden agencies. |
it is evident that we cannot be sure of /
preventing its advent Cur proper
course is. therefore. to watch for its ap-
pearanee. and if We see any indications /
of it. to Immediately isolate the infect
ed fowls, and disinfect the premises
they have occupied, if possible, or else
remove the healthy fowls 10 an unin-
fected place. To prevent the spread of
the disease. the roosts and lighthouses
should be sprinkled with dilute soiu-
ton of sulphuric acid. made by adding
three pounds of sulphuric acid to forty
gallons of water and mixing evenly by
agitation or stirring. This must be done
cautiously. as this acid will burn the
flesh or clothing if it touches them, and
it raises water to the boiling point when
the two are suddenly mixed. All very
sick fowls should be killed, and all
dead fowls, with all the excrement that
can be found, should be burned; as if
II 49, - I,,,;aI a., .l,.nasa e