Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-05-19
Chicken Cholera.

Probably no other disease is so dreaded
in the American poultry yard as this;
and owing to this dread. fowls are often
thought to have the chplera when. in
reality, the disease is simply diarrhea,
or severe form of roup.
One of the first symptoms of the
genuine fowl cholera is to be found in
the excrement. In health, the portion
of this excrement which comes from the
kidneys is white, and is mixed with the
bowel excretlons, 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
greenishor yellowish color. This change
of color is stated by DR.. ID. E. 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 excrement becomes
liquid, and while the fowl seems in per-
feet health. Sometimes the first symp-
tom is diarrhea, but in all cases this
very soon sets in; the excrement is
of that from the kidneys, called by DIR.
pended in a 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 109 or 10 de-
| grees; the comb and waffle lose their
bright color and turn pale, oreven dark.
| When 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 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 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. S. 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. .1 n.sr-t
As the disease may be carried to our
yards through so many hidden agencies,
1t is evident that we cannot be sure of
preventing its advent. Our proper
course is, therefore, to watch for its APP
pearance, 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 TO an unin-
fected place. To prevent the spread of
the disease, the roosts and hen-houses
should be sprinkled with dilute sollS
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
il 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 il
they are simply buried, the disease is
likely to be propagated by earth worms.
In the drinking water Of fowls which
are likely to be exposed to this conta-
gion, we would advise the use of hypo-
sulphite of soda, at tho rate of one
ounce to n pailful OF water. For q
fowl once fairly down with the disease,
there is. as before said, almost no hope
But If fowl be found casting the pecu
liar excrement described, but otherwise
apparently well, relief may sometimes
be afforded by giving strychnine in th'
form that homeopathic physicians ex
press as, "Nux Yomica s." giving five
or six pellets to a full-grown fowl, ant
TO smaller one in proportion. Thi
remedy has been used by us with goo,
results. Or. in default of this, we woul,
advise trial of the prescription givel
by DIR. Parker, in the article referre,
to; Ten drops of tinctme of Eucalyptu
globulus mixed with four grains common
salt, and half a teaspoonful of groun'
cayenne pepper; TO be given in n ten
| spoonful Of water -LoHiSUWe FdTN