The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25

learned only through ARCHAEOLOGICAL ex-
| animation. il the final proof.
The disease in question is caused by |
bacterium which in appearance closely |
| resembles the bacillus of typhoid fever. |
| This has been named "Bacterium pullorum
| by its discoveries. OF course the organism
| can he observ ed only by the use of a power !
| full microscope.
| Many experiments have been cond ucted
with view to finding the source OF in
| lection and the manner in which II is spread
| As a result the following facts have been
, scientifically demonstrated:
| The mother hen is the original source of
| infection. the organism being present IN
| the ovary. Infection can apparently he
spread from adult to adult A varying
proportion of the eggs laid by infected
hens carry the organism In the yolk. Chicks
produced from such eggs have the disease
| when Matched Infected chicks spread the
| disease among their normal companions
through the medium OF infected droprings.
Chicks which survive the infection, at least
the pullets, harbor the organism. when
finally locates In the ovary II such pullets
are used for breeding the viscious circle
is completed and the disease perpetuated
in the flock in that manner
| These points should he clearly under
stood AS each has an important bearing
on the met hods of control
| Prevention should here possible. begin
right at the fountainhead of the trouble.
Use nothing but healthy breeding stock
and then keep the chicks from such stock
from being infected by contact with the
Iothers If the disease is well established
| on the plant dispose of the breeding flock.
clean up and disinfect houses and yards
! and make fresh start with fowls or eggs
obtained from "a flock having no history OF
Infection
In fact. all purchases Of stock. baby
chicks and eggs for Matching should be
made from farms where the disease has
never appeared. since any of these may
carry the destructive organism to distant
points
Certain breeders who own birds of great
value will hesitate to kill them all Under
such conditions the trap nest should be
1 used during the breeding season. the eggs
from each hen Matched separately and the
: chicks brooded in separate Hooks until
> three or four weeks of age. If the disease
develops amonE the young of given hens
the latter. together with their chicks. should
= be disposed of at once. The successfui
application OF this plan depends entirely
: upon the vigor with which 1t is prosecuted.
Fortunately, the length of time during
T which Infection may pass from chick 10
, chick IL apparently brief one. The hrst
ifOrty-elght hours diltt hutNh'hS ~ NV
period of greatest danger and at four days
, of ge the peril is largely past This natu-
rally suggests the idea of giving the young
STEERS special care during this time
1 In incubators with glass fronts the chicks
usually pick up the accumulated dropping IS
y on trays or nursery floor This should
, be prevented as the disease is undoubtedly
quickly spread in thus manner. especially
a in view of the fact that the youngsters are
| IA. hnG RI in fp
: Now it is a simple matter to darken the
r incubator at Matching time BY covering the
4 glass in the front with cardboard or thick
z cloth This eflectually prevents the chicks
It from picking up the droppings and pieces
= OF shell which may carry the organism.
and further it keeps them quiet gaining
!. strength for the battle of life. They may
< he safely held in the machine for thirty-six
Il 70 forty-eight hours, thus being fully pro-
3. tect ed during the time of greatest danger.
;, Breeders should be disintected with
l. greatest care before each new batch OF
r chicks is placed in them They should be
l. deeply bedded with some fine. absorbent
e litter, which will quickly cover up all drop
y pings In addition. every precaution
d should be taken to prevent contamination
r of the food and water supply.
d If this plan Is followed for a few days
Ia the chance of a slight infection developing
- into keHti"' 'P'"''"'' wa w s'N"''' -
duced.
'e The chick grower will do well TO con
Y stantly bear in mind the fact hat the chicks
al which survive the disease are the means
y of its perpetuation, and rigidlS Gull ont
% every suspicious individual. no matter
how fine IL may appear after reaching ful
y development. This culling process shoulc
SO begin right at the incubator and be per-
ID ed in during the entire period of growth
e. IL is not necessary that the rejected chick
~ be killed at once. but they should be plainl!
and permanently marked. so that none vii
ly ever find place in the breeding flock.
Sc Every chick which at any time give
q. evidence of sickness or weakness, that fail
c. to develop and feather normally, should b
MT deemed unworthy and discarded, Wea
or breeders perpetuate their kind, and on
he usually gets enough poor chicks wthou
deliberately using inferior breeding stock
I'd There is an honest difference of opinion
e. existing among pOultrymen AS to the ad
ed visibility of treating chicks in which tn
tie disease has developed. number of whit
TX diarrhRa remedies have appeared recent
and some of these seem to be giving quit
On general satisfaction. Therefore 1t woul
r be unfair to make u broad statement to tn
T. effect that treatment is useless. Howeve
80 one will do well to market the chicks whiC
ly survive. regardless of how completely the
seem to have been cured.
to One very simple remedy. which IL readil
ks available everywhere, will certainly chee
,r- the inroads Of the disease to an apprecab
M extent. This il sour milk. Bacterium pu
lorum IA destroyed by weak solution Q
he acid. and sour milk carries quite propoI
,ai tion of lactic acid. IL the chicks ars give
"a. sour milk at the very first feeding this &C
ID will check the activities OF the organism
he the intestinal tract. just what the effe
ks will be In cases where the organism hi