The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-09-09
CHICKEN POX
By G. E. CONKEY.

seems to be no restricted area for the
disease and it has become one of the
most troublesome ailments with which
poultrymen throughout the whole
country have to contend. Even the
best cared for fiocks can never be con-
sidered immune, since the disease is
highly contagious and there are so
many ways in which it can be COM
municated from one yard to another.
Occasionally the disease is found in
very light form with only a few
birds showing slight symptoms, but as
q rule the situation becomes more seri-
Gus, the majority of the birds being
affected and the whole flock more or
less demoraliZed for several weeks
The disease is most fatal when it is
associated with roup and canker, and
these complications occur frequently.
Symptoms.
The symptoms in chicken poX are so
well defined that there is little danger
of its being confused with other dis
eases. Warty growths, or nodules on
the comb, wattles or other unfeather-
ed parts of the head are the first indi-
cations of the disease. At this stage
there may be no noticeable effect on
the general health and if there is no
further development the bird may
recover without treatment in the
course of a couple of weeks, the nod
ules drying up and falling off. Us
ually however. the disease continues
to develop, the eruptions becoming
more numerous. sometimes extending
to the body or even in rare cases to
the legs. The eyes may become af-
fected and closed so that the bird can
not see to eat. Canker often forms in
the eye and about the mouth and roup
very frequently develops in some
form. With these bad complications
the chances of recovery are greatly
lessened and the best of care with
proper treatment is imperative if
heavy loss is to be prevented
Cause.
There is some difference of opinion
concerning the exact nature of the
germ causing the disease and its rela-
ton to roup and canker that are often
associated with it, and it may be some
time before these points are definitely
settled.
Being a contagious disease chicken
poX readily spreads from one bird to
another and very often if is intro
ouEc9 M" d mock WIN ne" HlrdS or by
ENhloiIlo4 STOCK WhIch IS returned m
IecIeu. II IS also proDab'e mat 1t is
sometimes Drought TO the premises by
nlGeohS' Spaff"WS ana other BIRDS that
ny rom one Naro TO ahother.
T"H'e nave supposed that the bites
OF It5lH ana ,'o'"ulI"GS ana punctures
oI lI'HS EooQce Jhe disease. but 1t IS
more l,"'.E mat any nuncture OF the
'"lI' SUM- Wy furnishes tle germs a
"'.4N, ~ entrance.
-I"'7'u'e u necessary ior me ce[el-
"'''''.. '. Ihr +e,'n-. hence the dis
g D. "'. e'@-eH III N'l weather.
i'"i'," @' 'A,'. I,o"iI!E houses also
are e., Ia\2!a' re h'ehaihg places.
me o' 'I1eh DEVELOPS among
GfVN''.g '...r" ''i.' are r-CroWded
III .'.," w may crowd mo lhe
S''I.'D-- ~ ','-"t G7urI '.g 'ae 'irds TO
,'"''.e l't- W" avg >"e"leG pelhG
i"lFL en-. -d "N'a 'heF IRE let out
'',,o ,,sa t"L. ii.'.ilI"G an; II Is Ia1e TO
disease amorc chicl.. 'car Lo trocod 70
the improper housing or handling of
the birds at night.
pro,aut;o,
''''''o'
The disease is best prevented by
avoiding such conditions and circum-
stances as are known to be favorable
Tor its Introduction into flock. Keep
the general health of the birds to a
point where they will have the great
est resistil g force against the germs.
Healthy birds like healthy humans are
least liable to contract disease. To
keep up YOUR fiock's nealth means that
the housing must be right, the quar-
tiers clean and sanitary, the ration well
balanced and the feeding done in
way to encourage activity. It's a good
plan to disirfect frequently and thor
oughly with good effective disinfect-
ant. Don't let the house get too
Gusty. If there is a dust floor, use
road oil or something similar on it to
keep down the dust This procedure
alone. disinfectant and dust LAYER. has
fSS %nSse ys as o dsS"; year, had bee"