Pse^idomembranoiiS' Stomatitis of Pigeons and Chickens . 69 



genuine diplitht-ria in man appears to liave been thoroughly dis- 

 proved by the observations of Roux and Yersin. 



The following differential characters have been noted : 



Bacillus Diphthericr [Klehs-Loffler). Bacillus Diphthei-ia^ Coluiiibarum 

 I. In gelatine cultures grows only i. In gelatine cultures grows at 15- 



above 23° C. 



2. Kills Guinea pig and dog. 



3. Mice immune. 



4. Does not grow on potatoe. 



17° C. 



2. Guinea pig and dog nearl\- im- 



mune. 



3. Mice usually die with hepatic 



necrosis. 



4. Grows luxuriantly on potatoe. 



It may be accepted as demonstrated that the common diphtheria 

 of birds is essentially distinct from the genuine diphtheria of man, 

 and that when such diphtheria of the bird is conveyed to man as 

 has been often alleged (Richter, Gips, Bonig, Gerhart, etc.), 

 it is one of the forms of pseudo diphtheria that is produced, and 

 not that which is caused by the Klebs-Iyoeffler bacillus. Dr. V. 

 A. Moore, who has cultivated .specimens of the bacillus diphtheriae 

 Columbarum obtained from Germany, considers the germ as 

 belonging to the group of the bacillus coli conniuinis, and as not 

 the cause of the chicken diphtheria in America. Further investiga- 

 tion must settle whether the bacillus diphtheriae Columbarum is 

 the one cause of this affection in Europe, and what is the micro- 

 bian cause or causes of the disease in America. 



Incubation. This is very variable. False membranes may 

 form in twenty-four hours in some cases ; in other cases the}' 

 may be delayed from four to fourteen days (Colin, Babes, Pus- 

 carin, Marinescu). 



Symptoms. There is dullness, pro.stration, sunken head, ruf- 

 fled feathers, altered hoarse voice, drooping wings, wheezing 

 breathing, difficult deglutition, sneezing, and patches of dark red 

 conge.stion in the fauces covered with a thin film, at first translu- 

 cent, but soon becoming dense, adherent, opaque, whitish or 

 3'ellowish. As it becomes older this deposit becomes granular, 

 wrinkled, dry and friable. It is more adherent in chickens than 

 in pigeons and causes bleeding when detached. Necrotic changes 

 ma}- take place in the mucosa leading to considerable loss of 

 tissue, and even to perforations of the soft palate, pharynx or 

 oesophagus. It may remain circumscribed b)' the region of the 



