Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-11
TESTED 6355 FOWLS FOR
 RACILLARY WHITE DIARRHEA Storrs Station Shows the Infection
 Widespread in This State,

In a preliminary report on the cam paign conducted by the Storrs Agri- cultural Experiment Station for the ! eradication of bacillary white diar- rhea, it is shown that during the months of July, August and Septem- were made of the blood of moro than seven thousand fowls. The method employed has proven itself to be prac- 1 tical and, in so far as the facts at present indicate, thoroughly reliable. The results obtained on 25 different ffocl1s totalling in the aggregate 6355 fowls, it was found that sos fowls were infected and the average per l cent. of infection in the floclzs was 12.7.
 Of the 25 hocks tested only two were apparently free from white dfar- rhea. infection. In one of these the entire stock had been purchased as eggs for matching from farm on which it had been impossible to de- tect any infection, although eggs,
 chicks, and adult hens had been ex-
 arnined at frequent intervals for a per
 iod of over three years. In eight in
 stances the number of fowls reacting
 to the test constituted more than ?
 per cent. of the total, and in 16 cases
 the infected fowls amounted to more
 than 10 per cent. of the number test ed.
 Of the total number of 6355 fowls tested SPA were hens and 251 males. Eight of the males gave d positive agglutination reaction. The results of 6 thorough meteorological examination of these males will be announced in another publication.
 The above data have been obtained from 1ocks in various parts Of the state, most of which had never been known to harbor bacillary white diar- Thea infection. They are a fair +ndi cation, therefore, of the widespread occurrence of the disease throughout the state of Connecticut.
 It is yet too early to determine the permanent value of the test and of the elimination Of the fowls which react to 1t. This can not be done be- fore the next breeding season, and 1t is hoped that all who have availed themselves Of the test will keep the practical results. There can be no doubt however, Of the value of the system if all instructions are prop erly carried out.
 In the light of the data aIready ac- quired it appears highly probable that comparatively few poultry farms are free from bacillary white diarrIlea. Although the disease has not been rec ognized on many or them by it's symp- toms, it has taken it's toll in chicks. Bacillary white diarrhea is not recog- nized easily unless it occurs in real epidemic fornls since the symptoms in individual chicks are so variable and uncertain. Hence. many small chicks die from this ailment which are sup posed to have succumbed to various other causes.
 The only certain method of eradi- eating the disease from a flock is the elimination of infection from the breeding stock, and this can be brought about best with the aid of the microscopic agglutination test upon which the present campaign is based. (See Press Bulletin April 1914o
 The station has undertaken to con- tinue the testing which was begun in the past summer, and is in position to make examinations for those who wish to avail themselves of the oppor- tunity. Communications should be addressed to the Poultry Department of the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, Eaglev1e, Conn,