402 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Blackhead in turkeys, C. Curtice {Rhode JsJaml State Bd. Agr. Rpt. 1901, pp. 

 287 -296, pL i).— The author presents a history of the discovery and investigations 

 concerning the nature of this disease. No satisfactory treatment is known for the 

 disease, and prompt and thorough isolation of all diseased birds is therefore neces- 

 sary. In cases of extensive outbreaks or persistent occurrence of the disease the 

 author recommends setting turkey eggs under hens, the latter fowls being unsuscep- 

 tible to the disease. 



Notes on the biology of the organism of cyanolophia of domestic fowls, A. 

 Lode {Centhl. Bakt. u. Par., 1. Aht., 31 {1902), No. 10, Ong., j)p. 44S-4ol).—ln the 

 author's previous investigations on this subject it was found impossible to isolate any 

 organism from diseased fluids or tissues of affected fowls. Further experiments were 

 made for the purpose of determining the reaction of the virus of the disease to 

 various chemical and physical agents. It was found that sulphuric acid in a 1 per 

 cent solution was sufficient to sterilize the virus within 10 minutes. Sterilization 

 was also accomplished in the same time by a 2 per cent solution of potash lye, and 

 by chlorid of lime in a 3 per cent solution in 50 per cent alcohol. While the coarser 

 Chamberland and Berkefeld filters did not prevent the passage of the organism, it 

 was found that the filtrate from the finer filters became sterile after allowing it to 

 stand for a week or 10 days. Virus in which other micro-organisms or fungi were 

 allowed to grow, rapidly lost its virulence. 



Diphtheria of fowls; vaccination; serotherapy, C. Guerix ( iver. Vet. Toulouse, 

 27 {1902), No. 2, pp. 84-97). — Notes are given on the symptoms of the disease and 

 on the nature and development of the pathogenic organism. A number of experi- 

 ments were tried in devising a satisfactory treatment for this disease. During these 

 experiments it was founds that pigeons were most susceptible of all domesticated 

 birds to the disease. In pigeons the virulence of the organism was increased by 

 successive passages. It was found to be a simple matter to transmit avian diphtheria 

 experimentally to pigeons, either by inoculation of pure cultures, or of diphtheritic 

 material. It was found possible also to produce a complete and lasting immunity 

 by means of injections of attenuated virus into the peritoneum. 



Yellow liver, or congenital functional debility in ostrich chicks, D. 

 HuTCHEOx (.1^)-. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 20 {1902), No. IS, pp. 765-768). — This dis- 

 ease occurs in the form of atrophy of the liver, with fatty degeneration of the liver 

 cells. The abdominal and thoracic cavities usually contain a clear fluid, the mus- 

 culature is pale, and the cardiac blood appears to be of lighter color and more fluid 

 than usual. The yellow color of the liver appears to be due not to a primary disease 

 of the liver, but to incomplete absorption of the yolk sac at the time of hatching. 

 For preventing this disease the author recommends more careful attention to the 

 kind and quantity of food, and regularity in feeding, together with plenty of exer- 

 cise and laxative feeding during the first few days after hatching. 



A pigeon epizootic caused by an invasion of Heterakis perspicillum, T. 

 Kasparek {Centhl. Bakt. n. Par., 1. Aht., 31 {1902), No. 6, Orig., pp. 245-247).— k. 

 pigeon raiser imported a pair of birds from England, which later showed signs of a 

 wasting disease, and died. Subsequently, several other birds fell sick, and the most 

 of them also died. An exanaination of some of these cases showed the presence of 

 large numbers of H. perspklllum, which appeared to have been the cause of the dis- 

 ease. This parasite did not infect any other domesticated animal, but was, so far as 

 observations were made, strictly confined to pigeons. 



What ails the chickens? F. E. Emery ( Wyoming Sta. Ppt. 1902, pp. 37-39).— 

 For destroying chicken lice it is recommended that fowls be dipped in a solution of 

 some sheep dip, chloro-naphtholeum, or similar insecticide. It is estimated that from 

 10 to 12J gals, will be sufficient for 30 to 50 fowls. The plumage should be thor- 

 oughly soaked, while care should be exercised to prevent the solution from gaining 

 entrance to the lungs of the birds. The yards and buildings may be sprayed with 



