Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-08-19
KILLS POULTRY.
A Peculiar Disease Which is Raw
aging Many FIocks.

aging many FIOCkS.
Prof. E. F. Pernot, state bac-
teriologist, reports the appearance
for the first time of a peculiar dis
ease, confined almost exclusively
to poultry. 1t has made its ap-
pearance simultaneously in diff
ferent parts OF the state, notably
Southern Oregon, Hood River,
La Grande and Willamette VAL
ley. 1t is said to be contagious
when once contracted, andi is a
germ and is translnittable to diff
ferent members of a flock. Prof.
Pernot has been working very in
dustrously of late making a COM
plete diagnosis of the differ
ent carcasses submitted until he
is satisfied that a peculiar and
unheard of enemy of poultry
fanciers has made its first ap-
pearance. In all the literature
on the subject of the diseases of
poultry there is nothing descrip-
tive of the present ailment and to
the best of available knowledge
upon the subject nothing similar
has previously made its appear
ance. It is called contagious
pneumonia. 1t is similar to the
disease of the same name in cat
tie, horses and man with this one
exception that it is contagious.
1t was first discovered in the
flock of Bowen Lester, who is a
fancier of pure White Wyan-
dottes. Out of a flock of 100
birds fifty have died within the
past three weeks. The dead
birds were taken to Prof. Pernot
with the above result. Last
week w. G. Emery. who has
gone to much expense in devel-
oping his flock of pure Plymouth
Rocks was deeply disappointed
to see his own birds beginning to
droop and die. Within week
he lost 20 out of his flock of So.
About the same time reports
began to come in from other
points in the state of the dying
off of chickens, and Prof. Pernot
who is state bacteriologist was
asked to make an investigation.
In every case it was found that
the lungs of the dead birds were
congested. The symptoms Of
the appearance in the flock be.
gin with a dropping, languid
disposition on the part of the
afflicted ones, followed by sufo'
cation and death, which otter
takes place within six hours from
the time they are first taken,
though they sometimes lingel
several days before cath re
lieves the sufferer, but deatf
seems certain if they are once at
tackled. The sickly birds take
the disease first and it is trans
mitted to the healthiest member:
OF the flock from germs in th'
feed and drinking water. 1t /:
said to be caused by climatic
conditions, the present hot day
followed by cool nights. 1t com
mences first as a slight cold ane
gradually develops. Prof. Per
not is at present experimenting
upon the flock of w. G. Emery
and has succeeded in checking
the disease to such an extent tina
the disease has stopped its raw
ages. He has prescribed a die
which consists of a grain of qui
nine in tablet form given once
dav and a very light feed OF mash
consisting largely of green on
ions, lettuce, etc. A drop o
two of creosote is put into eacl
pan of drinking water as disln
fectant. Lime is also scattered
freely about the yard and sleep
ing apartments of the fowls. /
is hoped that nothing more seri
Gus may develop to increase tn
disease as there are several larg
and costly aocks in and abou
CorvalliS.