Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-08-13
TUBERcULAR POULTRY


Of Idaho. according to c. H Werk-
man, assistant bacteriologist of the
University of Idaho experiment sta
ton, and a campaign to get rid of it
already is we'll under way. Under
( auspices of the extension division of
the university, Professor Workman is
devoting two months to a study Of
this disease in the state, in co-opera-
tion with the county farm bureaus.
His work began in northern Idaho
counties and will continue in the
southeastern and southern counties,
where he has been sceduled with the
respective county agents for periods
of from one to three days in counties
| in which tuberculosis is especially a
problem.
Description of the disease, to enable
poultrymen to recognize it and eradi-
cate it from their flock, is given by
Professor Workman in the following
statement:
"A superficial survey of the state in-s
dIcates that tuberculosis in undoubt-
edly Of greater Importance, and is
causing more losses than all other
diseases now injecting the poultry Of
Idaho. In one county in Idaho where a
somewhat extended survey was made
Of farm fiocks for the presence OF
tuberculosis, approximately two-thirds
were badly infected. The infection in
a flock ranged from 100 per cent of
the birds down. In several fiocks every |
bird in the flock showed marked tuber- !
cular symptoms.
ITO place the poultryman on the !
lookout for the presence of the disease !
in his own flock a brief description of !
the disease may be indicated: as
found more commonly in Idaho tnber-
eulosis exhibits itsc'f in two forms.
practically spea king - tuberculosis
generalized with an abundant tuber
cule formation in the liver. spleen
and in few cases in the skin:
and tubercular arthritis or simply
tuberculosis of the bones and Joints
of the lungs is of rare
occurance in poultry, Indicating in
fection through the ailmentary tract
rather than by inhalation.
"The symptoms which the bird pre-
sents depend to a considerable extent
upon the type of tuberculosis infect
ing the fowl. In the more generalized
tuberculosis in which the viscera will
be involved there is a progressive
a gradual wasting away
This is not always true, as well-fed
birds having great susceptibility to
he disease may become heavily in \
'ected before wasting and emaciation !
appear, since tuberculosis birds usually 4,
,at ravenously until near death
Jsually. however. a marked wasting
away develops. leading to thinness
md paleness of comb, wattles and 6
isible mucous membranes The fea- 7
hers become ruffled, the bird exhibits {
'eakness. and lack of desire to forage
| diarrhoea may set in, producing | h
reat weakness. Birds showing symp-
ons should be killed and post NOR s
EN- examination made of the viscera,
ince it is impossible to absolutely Z
iagnose tuberculosis from external
characteristics. Upon laying bare the Il
isceral organs, a close scrutiny OF
ne liver spleen and intestines should a
eyeal cheesy, dirty white nodules or IL
ibercules varying in size from those
lst visible to tubercules the size of = =
ca These nodules consist of Goa Z,
uiated LESSONS, soft. cheesy dead It's 8
ae surrounded by a thick connective
ssue capsule :,
tuberculosis often involves the i1
iints. characterized by lameness and u
yelling. In this form II Is commonly y
rrned rheumatism OF 1imping dis -
Ise.' The swelling may rupture and n,
dirty yellow material exude. con- lai
lining many germs of the disease.
tuberculosis may be transmitted ~
rough the droppings. from open .,
sions on the skin or from the nose or ty
outh. Transmission through the egg
lists. though is probably not OF great ~ ~
lportance. The disease is. common ~
contracted from infective drinking I'll
lter. dust baths. roosts, scratching q
ms and nests. From these the germs ''
in entrance into the intestinal canal.
ence to the circulation and are car
d to various organs. NJ
There are no medicinal measures 5t
at will give results, neither has y. m
rum therapy offered a cure or pro- an
ylactic. Prevention is of the ut ur
ost Importance. The best santa n'
n practices must be employed to -