The Role ofClostridium perfringensin the Growth Response of Chicks to Dietary Penicillin

摘要

Summary.The previous observation thatClostridium perfringensis responsible for penicillin‐relieved growth depression in chicks has been reassessed. The administration ofCl. perfringensto germfree chicks, to birds harbouring a non‐growth depressing gut flora and to birds reared in an environment free fromCl. perfringenswas without effect on growth rate. No correlation was observed in conventional chicks between the incidence of growth depression and the presence ofCl. perfringensin the gut of the chicks one day after food was first gi