The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-11-29
ROuP IS SERIOUS
DISEASE IN FALL
In Many Respects This Ailment Of
Fowls Is Similar to Influenza
of Humans.
ISOLATE ALL AIlINe BIRDS
Symptoms, Preventive Measures and
Treatment, Described by Special
lists Of United States Depart
mont Of Agriculture.

As cold weather approaches poultry
raisers should take every precautfon
to prevent their chickens from getting
colds. II the flock is not properly
cared for it Is easy for this ailment
to get a start and SO reduce the vital
ity Of the birds that other more seri-
GUS diseases are readily introduced.
One Of the most common as well as
serious diseases which follow colds Is
contagious catarrh, more generally
known among poultrymen as roup. 1t
resembles the more malignant forms
Of influenza In the human family and
among animals. It attacks principally
the membranes lining the eye, the sacs
below the eye, the nostrils and other
parts about the head. It is attended
with high fever and is very contagious.
been in exhibitions should be isolated
and kept under observation for two
weeks before they are put with the
flock and all animals and wild birds
excluded 30 far as possible. The
houses should be kept clean and dry
and occasionally disinfected. II the
disease appears Notwithstanding these
at once at q distance from the well
ones and apply disinfectants freely
about the houses and runs. Also place
sufficient permanganate Of potash in
all drinking water to give the latter a
deep purple color. II the disease
proves Of severe type 1t Is often bet
ter to kill the entire flock, and after
q thorough cleaning and disinfection
Of the premises to begin with new
birds. This radical method avoids the
retention of the birds which may har-
Dor the contagion and cause the de-
velopment Of subsequent outbreaks.
Prevent introduction Of Disease.
Roup appears to be a strictly con-
tagious disease; that is, one which
arises only. SO far as known, by con-
tagion from other diseased birds. The
nature Of the microbe which constitutes
the virus is not known. The contagion
Is generally brought into the poultry
yard by infected birds. Sometimes
these are birds which are purchased
from other fiocks In which the disease
exists; sometimes they are birds Of the
home aock which have been In ex-
hibitions and there exposed to sick
fowls; and sometimes they are wild
birds or pigeons which fly from one
poultry yard to another.
The saliva and the discharge which
escapes from the nostrils carry the
contagion and soon contaminate the
drinking water and feeding troughs SO
that all the fowls are infected. Even
the flocks In adjoining yards are in
fected by the particles Of mucus pro-
jected into the air when sneezing, or
by the contagion carried on the feet
Of persons, animals. or small birds
that pass from one yard to another.
Delicate birds are inclined to severe
attacks and to recover slowly, and
often q chronic condition persists for
long time. Birds SO affected may
carry and spread the contagion for
a year or more and become the cause
Of new outbreaks Of the disease.
How Roup Affects Poultry.
The symptoms first seen are very
similar to those of an ordinary cold,
but there is more fever, dullness, and
prostration. The discharge from the
nasal opening Is at first thin and wa
terry, but in two or three days 1t be-
eSues thick end obstructs the breath