112 FUNGOID DISEASES 



III. Favus in Poultry i^Achorion Schonkinii, 

 Remak) [Oidliun Schonleinii, Grawitz), Fungi 

 Iviperfecti. 



Almost all breeds of poultry are attacked, the 

 disease being very contagious, a single case soon 

 contaminating the whole run. The disease is also 

 common in children. 



Symptoms. — Small, pale, irregular, shield-like pits 

 appear on the comb ; and later on the wattles and 

 head. They coalesce, thicken, and become'yellowish- 

 grey. The feathery parts, especially the breast and 

 neck, may be attacked, the feathers drying up and 

 falling off. The disease is most difficult to combat 

 at this stage, often ending fatally. 



Cause. — Oidium Schonleinii, or a parasitic fun- 

 gus closely resembling it, causes the above disease, 

 gaining entrance to the comb probably at some 

 abrasion and spreading to the wattles, neck, and 

 breast. Grown on artificial media, the mycelium 

 is greyish white ; from it spring soft white fluffy 

 aerial hyphse, bearing the conidia in chains. They 

 may be produced in such profusion, both here and 

 on the comb, as to form a dust-like covering over 

 the whole surface. The fungus also possesses the 

 following characteristics : is sensitive to acid in the 

 medium, forms a sulphur yellow colouring matter, 

 likes fairly high temperatures, and produces an 

 alkaline by-product. 



Remedial Measures. — Always isolate and treat 



