Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-03

the soils of certain New England States
are 50 impregnated with the parasite that
even the Eame-hirds are being depleted.
Scientists declare there is no cure for
blacllhead. Knowing these facts concern
ing it, how can raisers protect themselves?
Prevention, is the reply, Since it attacks
all poultry, turkeys should he raised apart,
and never allowed to feed where fowls
run. Fresh-turned ground as far as pos
s,hle, is recommended for turkeys Their
habit Of ranging abroad may he encour-
aged. New stock should always be sub
jet to the closest scrutiny. Mopy or
lieht-Weight turkeys or "fnickY" feed
ers are suspicious. If possible one should
acquaint ones self with the history of the
hocks from which ones breeders are Sc
leCted. At the first sign of sickness. the
ailnG turkey should he isolated. Upon
the appearance of blacllhead. prudence
would dictate the removal of the healthy
turkeys to a new range, such as a whea
or bayfield, The sick turkey may he put
IN a coop reserved for hospital purposes,
and he dosed, If the raiser is experiment.
ally inclined. Air-slaked lime is cheap,
effec;ual disinfectant to use around the
coops and feeding boards For a few DAYS
after a suspicious case has been removed.
Copperas (sulphate of from or permangan-
ate of potash may he used in the flock S
drinking water This is not absolutely
essential, since the parasite is in the edrth
or in the eXcrement of infected birds. All
dead turkeys should he burned or buried
deeply. y plentiful supply of charcoal in
rations is a wise precaution.
TURPENTINE VERSUS PARASITE.
The only treatment ! have found help
full is turpentinc. | do not offer it as a
cure. but ! do know that it has been used
again and again with gratifying results
to prevent general infection of the flock
| speak particularly of turkeys old enough
to eat wheat. on a farm where black.
head has claimed victims at various times
for some years. the farmer at first indica
tion of its activity, begins to use turpon-
tine. For % birds of 10 weeks age he
mixes one tablespoonful of turpentine with
one quart Of wheat for breakfast. AS they
grow accustomed to The taste, he increases
the dose to TWO tablespoonfuls. After q
week, he omitS the turpenttne unless the
birds continue to SCken. which seldom
happens. Those turkeys Just infected oft
en- improve and apparently recover. Aft
er decided emaciation and loss of appe-
lite appear there is no hope. While ar
infected fowl remains in weight it has z
chance. The use Of turpentine in early
infection seems to devitalize the germ
EmaCiation bears testimony to the work
Of the parasite in liver and intestines for
these organs arc greatly impaired by the
Infection
The Rhode Island station Investigate rs
are inclined TO believe that blackhead anG
white diarrhpa in young chickens are
correlative, or identical. Outward signs
as we'll as microscopic examination tenG
to confirm the theory.
1t cannot be denied that hlackhead /.
to he feared by turkey-raisers. Yet its
appearance on n farm need not entirely
dishearten. Prompt measures to isolate
sick birds burning of carcasses and us,
of turpentine prevent it's spreading I
the acreage permits it, the healthy turk!
may be removed to another pasture, pref
erably a wheat field, to which other poul
try has no access, If the disease has oh
tanned such a foothold as to make heav,
inroads annually in the flock, as n las
resort it would pay to dispense with tn
/ industry for a year or two. In this tim
the parasites lose vitality If they do no
wholly disappear With new an,
+ healthy flock and a rising tide OF hope
the turkey-raiser may start afresh.