CHICKEN CHOLERA IN MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2869, 10 April 1888, Page 3

CHICKEN CHOLERA IN MASTERTON.

It seems almost certain that chicken cholera has existed in Masterton. Whergfeefessor Thomas was here tho otherWy, he obtained particulars of an epidemic which ravaged the henroosts in January last, and the information so received, left little 'doubt in his mind on the subject, He, therefore, feels pretty sure that the disease which Pasteur has made famous has had its existence here, much to the detriment of the poultry runs of several of our best-known fanciers.

In one instance, from twenty to thirty birds were attacked, and all but two or three died; in a second case, sixty out of seventy succumbed; and in another instance, only two fowls out of a roost of twenty were left to mourn for the departed. The attacks w«£wn each case quickly followed by deflm, only a few hours elapsing before the disease had run its fatal course - twenty-four at the most. Tho Professor was, unfortunately, unable to obtain any specimens of poultry suffering from the complaint, it having now, as epidemics generally do, ediausted itself. He has, however to secure subjects, should it make its re-appearance next Summer or sooner, and he will then give it careful attention. The complaint, as it appeared in Masterton, was, from the symptoms testified to by those who observed it, apparently quite identical with hen cholera, and the owners of the birds were well qualified to judge, one of them being a local doctor. The same disease has also at times made its appearance among poultry in Christchurch, and it and Masterton, as far as we are aware, are the only

two places in the Colony, which have had experience of what is undoubtedly jjhickeii cholera. There have been Tocher fatal diseases in fowls prevalent

in various parts, but not this one. There is one feature of it that requires explanation, and that is as someone asked:—" If it is chicken cholera, why does it not spread to the rabbjk. which are, as Pasteur has protffsosusceptibloto its contagious characteristics and its deadly influences ?" To this, the only reply that can he given, is that it must be supposed that the rabbits have not been brought into contact with the disease. In Christchurch, which is thickly populated, there are no rabbits at all •where the infected poultry would be found, and even in Masterton, there are very few, if any, now ever seen about the premises where this epidemic has made its appearance. That it has not spread to the rabbits is evident from Professor Thomas' having found no traces of it iu them while he was here, and as for the reason, well, we have given the most likely one that the circumstances warrant.