Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-11
WHITE PLAGUE OF POULTRY.
EXTENT AND CAUSES OF R0UP

toms last for months When the eye
lids become swollen and tumors ap-
pear, the case is usually chronic. Al
fected birds may be better for lie"
days or weeks, and then become very
weak again. Damp, cold weather
usually intensified the disease.
1t is we'll known that fowls may be
more or less sick from roup for one or
even several years and these birds
should have the greatest care and at
tention, or else be killed at once, for
they are generally the cause OF new
outbreaks Once introduced, roup may
remain in flock for many years. The
first cold and moist nights of the fall
and early winter cause all kinds of ca
tarrhs, which in many instances are
followed by roup. Roup spreads rap
idly in the winter time and may at
| tack from 10 to 80 per cent of the fowls
| in a flock Towards spring, the dis
ease gradually disapL ears; during the
summer months a few birds remain
| chronically affected; then the first
cold nights give the disease a fresh
start
] There is a great deal of difference in
the susceptibility of fowls to the dis
ease. Young fowls and finely bred
fowls are especially liable to contract
it. Some birds are apparently natur-
ally immune and never take the dis
ease. Others apparently have it in a
mild form and completely recover,
having thereby acquired an immunity.
Diphtheritic roup is distinguished
from nasal roup by the formation of
false membranes on the mucous sur
face Of the nostrils eyes, mouth, throat
and windpipe. These membranes are
a tough grayish or yellowish growth
and adhere very firmly to the under
Lying tissue. This begins as a local ir-
ritation or inflammation at some point
on the internal surface of the mouth,
throat, nostrils or eyes. AT this time
the general health Is not yet affected,
and there is nothing but the diph-
theritic deposit to indicate that the
bird has been attacked. This deposit
is at first thin, yellowish or whitish in
color and gradually becomes thicker.
firmer, and more adherent SO that con-
siderable force is required to remove
it. The mucous membrane beneath the
deposit is found when the latter is re-
moved, to be inf1amed, liberated, and
bleeding, but it Is soon covered by a
new deposit.
The Inflammation in the nostrils
causes sneezing and the escape of a
thin, watery secretion from the nasal
openings; the thick false membranes
fill up the nasal passages and the throat
and obstruct the breathing: a thick,
viscid secretion collects on the eyelids
and CLUES them together; the sacs I'M
der the eyes fill up, and swellings are
caused which dishgure the head: the
poison which is produced by the
growth of the microbe beneath the
false membranes is absorbed and af-
fects the nervous system, causing dull :
ness, depression and sleepiness The
laffected bird stands with the neck eX-
tended and the beak open to facii-
tate the entrance of air into the lungs,
land from the corners Of the mouth
there hang strings of thick tenacious
1grayish mucus. A characteristic dis
agreeable odor appears when the mem
branes begin to form, and as they in
crease in mass it becomes much
stronger and by the time the birds are
in the condition described above it is
very objectionable.
In a subsequent communication the
remedies and methods of treatment of
this diSea CO will no discussed