Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1884-01-10
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CONCERNING POULTRY DISEASES.

D. E. Salmon, ID. V. NJ, Veterinarian of
the Department: of Agriculture, says that
"'chicken cholera is one of the most widely
diseases, and certainly causes enormous ag-
gregate losses. 1t is now as well under
stood as any of our contagious diseases. and
it is one Of the few in which the germs
have been discovered and carefully studied
4 These germ, under ordinary conditions,
anust be taken into the stomach with the
food and drink to produce their effects, and
consequently by a proper use of dsintec-
tants, the disease may be almost entirely
prevented"
Now. dare say, nneteen-twentieths Of
the poultry-raiseFs who read that did not see
anything very funny about it ON the con-
strarys they were filled with profound re-
specific the learned gentleman who ''dis-
covered and carefully studied the germs :"
but the other twentieth, the practical poul-
try raisers who studied the disease tor years
before the scientific chaps concluded that
chicken ailments We're worthy OF their at
| tention, and who found out that perfect
cleanliness and free use OF disnfectants
would prevent it, couldn't help smiling
when they read the learned veterinarians
remarks concerning chicken cholera, and
one--a woman. e--triumphantly eX-
claimed: II told you SOP
Ten years ago. w. FL. Todd said I'VE
have never had chicken cholera in our yards
or any experience with il. 1t is our opinion
that it may be warded off, or controlled by
good sanitgry means-cleaniness, ventia-
tion, not over crewding and a free use Of
disntectants." | always had more conf
dence in Todd than had in most men. con-
sequently [ acted on his advice, and when |
found ii was good, | passed it along, For
over six years | have steadily preached the
doctrine OF the ''ounce of prevention" and
the poultry people who knew most about
chicken cholera agreed with me upon all the
main points. OF course we did not know
anything about the germs (and cared still
less) until after the scientists discovered
itey more consequence to us, viz, that by
proper sanitary precau ions we could keep
the cholera out of our yards, while neigh
b0rs who neglected such measures had their
poultry yards almost depepulated by raw
ages. And the discovery and careful scien-
titic study of the germs, when boiled right
down to the practical point, amounts to pre-
ciSely the same thing, consequently it has
added nothing to the stock OF practical
knowledge concerning poultry cholera. Yes,
we know that the disease can be prevented
by vaccination. at least. that is what the
scientists tell us. but that part of the bust
ness has not yet reached the practical point,
still it looks hopeful. Dr. Salmon tells us
that after few Investigations ''to deter
mine the best method OF putting up the
virus, there is no doubt but that it can be
sent to any part OF the country ia such a
form that any one could use it,
That's what we want, and | believe that
it will be done, but until that time comes |
advise poultry raisers to stick to the pre-
yentiYe measures, and LET the ''sure cures"
for chicken cholera alene and don't be taken
in by any ''dried vaccine bloed' business
either; before the genuine article of virus
is offered tor sale by responsible parties
there will be host of swindlers who will
advertise worthless stuff under various
names, but if you don't bite, you won't lose
anything.
What is true of chicken cholera is true of
other poultry dIseases-the "ounce of pre-.