CATARRH AND ROUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 55

CATARRH AND ROUP.

j»mong.=t ot'ier very useful information published from the American Experimental Station, I think the following upon catairh and roup should prove most acceptable at tlie present season, when I know that both trtubles ara unuoua^y prevalent: — The symptoms of chicken catirrh are inflammation of Ihe mucous membranes of the head— viz.. mouth, throat, na-al passages, and eye sockets, accompanied by the formation of a deposit, upon the effected parts. which mpy accumulate to sucb. an extent as to cause a discharge or completely fill the c&vity which the mucous membrane lines. When the inflammation affects the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages there is more or less redness of the latter, accompanied by a discharge from J:he nostrils, which discharge may become thickened so as to clos<* the opening of the nostrils and obstruct the breathing. In the same way, the mucous membrane lining the eye socket may be similarly affected, and a watery fluid escapes which "bathes the eyes, and which later may become thick like pus, eventually gluing the lids together. The pus may furthermore become thick and cheeky, and. accumulating in the inner ccrner of the eye socket, produce a tremour like ms«s whijli displaces the eye. Again, the inflammatory condition may affect the mouth and throat, extending to thft larynx. In this case the mucous membiane is more or less reddened and covered \vjth' a deposit or exudate. This latter may be easily removed, or it may firmly adhere, any effort to remove it causing the underlying parts to bleed. Catarrh is caused by bacteria finding lodgment on the mucous membrane, which in their growth generate poisons that irritate the tender mucous surface.

fhfc disease may assume two forms : Simple, non-infectiou<? catarrh, and malignant, infectious catarrh, oi roup. Our Vnowledge of these two forms of the disease is not sufficient to draw a sharp line of demarcation between them, inasmuch as their general manifestations are the same. In many cases one may be only a mild form of the other; in others, the two seem to be quite distinct. Infectious catarrh i 6 usually more malignant in its character, the symptoms more pronounced, the death rate greater, while its spread through a flock clearly points to its contagious nature.

Simple Catarrh. — Thk disease is quite common among domestic poultry. The mucous membranes of the nasal passages art inflamed and thickened, and exude a thin, watery fluid, wheih escapes through the nostrils. This latter may become thick and hard, sj as to entirely close the nasal openings, and cause mouth breathing. The eyes may al&o become inflamed and watery, and later the lids become clued toaethei with the

\ isoii. 1511.(..0 i'(.1 511.(..0 i'(. Cptairhal patches may also form upon the mvcuu» membiane of the mouth and throat. The affected birds show general symptoms of illness, more or lets severe. They are dull. ha\o little appetite, and may ■■how a roughened plumage. The birds ;-.n^eze, or the mouth breathing is accompanied by a wheezing or ignoring pound. The principal predisposing cause of simple catanh is exposuie to cold, dampness, and strong drauguts of cold air. These influences may be further aggra\ated by insufficient nutrition and lack of exercise. It is, thcrefoie, best preventec l by keeping tho birds in warm, tight houses, with good feeding. For treatment, tho mouth and nostrils can be washed once or twice a day with either of the following solutions : — Boracic acid, 15gr to the ounce of water, or 1 per cent, solution of ereohri. These solutions can be injected into the nostrils by using a small oil can, and a camel's hair brush used to apply the solution to the affected par!r> of Hie mouth or eye-. A<s a tonic, Megnin recommends . — Drachms. Gentian loot „ „ , 4 Oinger . .. 4 Sulphate of iron 2 Hyposulphite of sodium 1 Sahcylate of sodium 1 Puheribed and mixed; close, 3gr to 4gr daily. Contagious Catarrh or Roup. — To the ordinary observer, this form ot catarrh presents the same general appearances as the preceding, except that the difeaso is usually more severe in its manifestations, more fatal in its result*, and more distinctly contagious, spreading from bird to bird with great rapidity. The discharges from the affected parts" also ha\e a decidedly offensive odor, which may be taken as a mark of diagnostic \alue. Another point of differentiation is seen about one or both eye?. The eye of the bird is set in a cavity which in considerably laiger than tt-e organ itself. The cavity termed the orbital ainus is lined with nuteoufa membrane, which in roup becomes I.iofoundly inflamed. The orbital sinus- has tree connection of the natal cavity, so that any inflammation of the naval passages i 3 likely to extend to r,he cye>s. Tho inflammatory poured into the orbital sinus becomes thicker, and eventually cheesy in character.

Its accumulation foru>s> a hard swelling, wl ich either crowds the eye out of its socket or -the inflammation may involve and entiiely destroy this organ. When cut into this accumulated exudate has a vei-y offensive odour, which is quite characteristic. The swelling under the eyes, together with the offensive discharge from the nasal openings, is sufficient to distinguish roup from simple, non-infectious catarrh. An examination of the mouth and throat may also show the formation of patches,' covering the floor or roof of the mouth, often extending to the larynx. These patches are sometimes easily removed, or they may form a false membrane, firmly adherent to the underlying surface. It is clearly evident that roup is a contagious disease, caused by a germ which infests the mucous membrane of healthy birds ; that this germ is found in and disseminated by means of the discharges of the sick. The control of the disease, therefore, is dependent udod the observance of the strictest hygienic measures. The sick should be immediately separated from the well, and the coops and roosts sprayed with a 2 per cent, solution of chloride of 'lime, the idea being kept in mind that all places which have harboured roupy fowls are likely to be infested with the causitive germs of the disease. If roup is prevalent in the neighbourhood, any new stock should be kept by themselves for a period of 30 days to ensure freedom from disease, and they should be examined individually before allowing them to mingle with the healthy. The sick which have been isolated should, in the cold season, bp kc-pt in warm, dry quarters, and given nutritious food containing a goodly portion of meat or fish scrap. Those that die should be immediately destroyed by burning or burial. Medicinal treatment can be applied if the value of the birds warrant it.

The swellings about the head and eyes should be opened, their contents removed, find the wound freely painted with a solution of iodoform in ether. The affected mucous membranes should be treated by removing any visible exudate that can be reached, and then bathing the affected surface with some antiseptic solution.

Among. these are creolin in 2 per cent, solution, o, permanganate of potash, one grain to the ounce. Megnin has had excellent results with a solution of copper sulphate, of which a good strength is a 2 per cent, solution.

The antiseptic solutions may be injected into the nostrils, or into the cleft in the roof of the mouth, by means of a medicine-drop-per or a small oil can. These solutions are too eau«tic to apply to the more sensitive eye, and for this boracio acid — 15gr to the ounce — is recommended. For application to the eye. wet a portion of clean cotton with the solution, which is gently held for a minute or so against the inflamed part.