Field Trials on the Use of Sulfamerazine for a Respiratory Disease of Turkeys

FOR many years the turkey industry has suffered serious losses from outbreaks of a respiratory disease, known as infectious sinusitis (Hinshaw, 1943). It is characterized by swelling of the nasal and orbital sinuses which are filled with a gelatinous or cheesy exudate. The air sacs, trachea and lungs are sometimes also involved, which results in coughing. Recent reports from the field indicate that the incidence of cases with severe involvement of the air sacs is increasing. Birds of all ages above 4 weeks may be affected. This has resulted in heavy mortality due to pneumonia and to suffocation when the exudate forms a plug in the trachea. It has also resulted in low egg production and low fertility, since the birds are definitely in a subnormal condition. Dickinson and Hinshaw (1938) reported good results in the treatment of the sinus involvement by use of 15 percent argyrol or 4 percent . . .