340 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



thorough way in which the author has carried out his task and the extent of the 

 ground that has been covered. A short introduction, note on classification, and 

 account of " Early records and migrations of the common rat " are quite interesting 

 to the general reader. 



It is a book that should certainly be in all laboratories and in the hands of all 

 who are working not only on the rat but on the general questions of the relations 

 of different parts of the body in the adult and in the young animal. 



C. H. O'D. 



Diseases of Poultry : Their Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. 

 By Raymond Pearl, Frank M. Surface, and Maynie R. Curtis. 

 [Pp. xi + 342, with 72 illustrations.] (New York : The Macmillan Com- 

 pany, 1916. Price Ss. 6d. net.) 

 The recognition of the various diseases of poultry, together with their prevention 

 and cure, is of special importance at the present time, when it is necessary to 

 increase the available food supply. The present volume is therefore welcome, for 

 it supplies an account of applied poultry hygiene, the commoner diseases of 

 poultry, and treatments appropriate for the same. Twenty-one chapters are 

 devoted to these topics, and a glossary, which unfortunately contains some rather 

 poor definitions, is appended. 



The book is frankly described as a compilation, but it is to be regretted that 

 few sources of information, other than American publications, appear to have been 

 consulted. The result is, that in several cases successful treatments are ascribed 

 to workers who did not originate the treatments. Thus, the use of catechu for 

 coccidiosis was set forth by Fantham and applied in England in 19 10, but is 

 ascribed to Salmon, who published it in 19 13. Also, the account of spirochetosis 

 in birds might have been brought more up-to-date. Spirochceta gallinarum and 

 S. marchouxi are synonyms, but appear to be considered as separate organisms 

 (see pp. 191, 230). 



The chapter on poultry hygiene is very clear and concise. The sanitation of 

 the poultry house, the problems of hygienic feeding, provision of runs, means of 

 exercising birds, and the disposal of dead birds all receive adequate treatment. 

 Much of the mortality among poultry could be prevented by attention to the prin- 

 ciples laid down in this chapter. A short, practical materia medica for poultrymen 

 is given in the fourth chapter, and should be of service. It contains an account 

 of the principal drugs used, and the methods of their administration. 



The various maladies affecting poultry are dealt with chiefly according to 

 the organs of the host most concerned. Diseases of the liver, alimentary tract, 

 respiratory, circulatory, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems are discussed, 

 while chapters are also devoted to the external and internal parasites occurring 

 among birds. The various tumours of poultry and hints on simple surgical pro- 

 cedures conclude the book. 



Probably the best chapter in the book is the one dealing with poultry hygiene, 

 which has already been outlined. When dealing with diseases of the alimentary 

 tract, an account is given of simple diarrhcea, enteritis or dysentery, constipation, 

 indigestion, coccidiosis, peritonitis, and ascites. Poisoning due to salt, sodium 

 nitrate, lyes, arsenic, zinc, lead, mercury, and ptomaines are discussed and suitable 

 treatments are indicated. Diseases of the liver, fowl cholera, typhoid, plague, and 

 tuberculosis are considered in some detail. 



The chapter on the internal parasites contains an account of the commoner 

 tapeworms of poultry, and of the best means of administration of medicaments for 



