Holbrook argus., 1902-09-06
Roup and Its Treatment


 the Florida experiment station, and he has reached certain conclusions which he states as follows:
 "Roup or avian diphtheria may attack all varieties..of the domesticated fowls, also cage and wild birds. The charisteristic symptoms is the appear ance upon the lining membranes of the mouth and nose of peculiar yellow patches, which resemble those present in the throats of children suffering from diphtheria. These patches are adherent to the parts7upon which they rest. and when stripped off cause a raw, bleeding surface. In a.few days they become yellow, much thickened, and interfere with the breathing and prehension of food In some cases the eye is affected. The eyeiids become glued together and the material col lects upon the front of the eyeball, causing great bulging and final destruc- tion of the eye. peculiar nauseating odor accompanies the disease, due, to the decomposition of the pent-up secretions. Emaciation is rapid, from the absorption of poisons formed by the disease process and from inability to eat.nn In some outbreaks the disease attacks the intestines, resulting in bloody discharges and great loss. It lasts a few days to a few weeks, accord ing to its being acute or chronic in character.
 "The methods of treatment are isolation of the affected ones, com plete renovation of the hen house by scraping the floors, burning old nests, liberal coat of whitewash to all wood work, and coating the floors with layer of lime. This is to be followed by medicinal treatment of the affected ones. This should, in part, consist of the use of antiseptic washes, for the nostrils, mouth and throat. Any of the following washes may be used: A per cent solution of creoin.applied to the parts with a brush; equal parts of kerosene and olive oil, or cottonseed oil boric acid, 15 grains to the ounce of water. In applying any of these solutions, first remove those portions of the patches which can be detached without causing blood to flow. It is considered good practice to also dust the cleansed surfaces with flower of sulphur. Great relief is afforded the fowls by fumigation. Place the fowls in tight building and pour oil of tar on a hot brick, piece of iron or shovel. Do this twice daily.
 "The tumors which form on the head should be opened with sharp knife and their contents washed out. The bleeding which frequently occurs can be checked by filling the cavity with raw cotton saturated with chloride of iron. Zurn recommends internally and externally mixture of 15O grams of decoction of walnut leaves \lU SIdllo lo q iuatt oi NHtCi NllH ~ grams of glycerine, 5 grams of chlor- idle of potassium, and one-half gram of salicyllc acid in 15 grams of rectified spirits. Of this, give once or twice daily tablespoonful to large fowls. He also paints the parts with the solu- tion twice day.
 "In addition to using any of the above treatments the birds should be given soft feed, and in cases where they cannot eat, the food should be given by hand. They should also be given stimulating tonic, the follow ing being recommended: Cayenne pepper, sulplate of quinine, sulphate of iron of each one drachm. Mix and add little honey or syrup as an ex- cipient. and divide the mass into