SPIKOCH^ETOSIS OF SUDANESE FOWLS 
Nature of 
'• after phase " 
yS 
that in a gosling dead of the disease I found in the spleen a caseous nodule similar to 
the caseous yellow gi'anulations described in the livers of geese which have succumbed to the 
attack of Sjj. anscrina. 
There is probably one special avian spirochiete for domestic birds at least, which was fii'st 
named Sp. (jalUnarum. I do not think I can claim to have found a new species in the Sudan 
spirochete, solely on account of its great tendency to cell-parasitism. This is certainly much 
more marked than in Prowazek’s cases, but may perhaps be explained by the different breed 
of fowls or the different climatic conditions. It may have something to do with changes 
undergone in the tick.' 
I regard this “ after phase ” as a definite stage in the life-history of the parasite. As 
Prowazek says, it may be a true resting stage, and I am inclined to think that it provides for 
re-infection. The tiny granules into which the intra-corpuscular forms break up may possibly be 
of a “spore” nature, and play a part in the lung, where, as noted, they are most commonly found. 
Breinl’s hypothesis mentioned in the Eeview Supplement {page 191) is interesting in this 
connection, but at present little definite can be said, and owing to the minute size of the 
granules it will he a matter of extreme difficulty to find out what becomes of them. I had 
hoped by an examination of sections to determine something regarding them, but the tissues 
were lost. After the fire, however, the tissues of one fowl with a small intra-corpuscular 
infection were secured, and Dr. Wenyon kindly examined them for me at the London School, 
fixing and staining in block by Levaditi’s method.^ The sections, unfortunately, yielded no 
information. 
As regards the season of the year when spirochaetosis is most common, 1 can give no 
opinion. It seems to occur all the year round. At any time almost, birds in the “afterphase” 
can be found in the market at Khartoum, but it is not easy to pick up a bird with the free 
forms in its blood, or one with a large infection at the intra-corpuscular stage. That the 
condition is one of great importance there can be no doubt, in a country where there is a 
large trade in fowls, and where these birds and their eggs form specially valuable articles 
of diet, as, indeed, is the case in most tropical countries. There is no evidence of any 
human disease being associated with the condition in fowls. 
I am indebted to Dr. Beam for the excellent photographs of the sick birds, and to 
Dr. Wenyon and Captain Olver for kindly discussing the matter with me. Professor Laveran 
and others also were good enough to take an interest in the subject, while, as stated. 
Dr. Sambon recognised the true nature of the condition before I had got together ail my 
proofs, and while I was still in some doubt as to its precise significance. 
Koutinj; Work 
The following is a list of the various examinations conducted in the bacteriological 
laboratory since the last list was compiled for the Second Report. .411 entomological 
examinations and reports on plant diseases have been performed by Mr. King and are not 
included. 
The period of work covered is twenty mouths :— 
(a) Morbid secretions and exertions ... ... ... 28 
(/-) Blood . 253 
{(■) Bacteriological apart from {n) ... ... ... ... 48 
' recent jjaper in the Journal of Tropical Medicine and Ili/yienc (August 1st, 1908), mentions the discovery 
of fowl spirochaitosis by G.alli-Viilerio in Tunis, .and suggests th.at the North Afric,an dise.ase is di.stinet from that 
met with in Brazil .and is due to .a different species of spirocluete. Galli-Valerio believes the Tuni.si.an spirochaetosis 
to be the same as tliat found in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. 
- Lev.aditi, C (October-Novemljer, 1900), “ Les Nouvelles Recherches sur I'Etiologie et la Patliologic 
experimcntalc do la Syphilis.” Fuiia Jia inalolmjii-a, Nos. 10 and 11. 
