ERADICATION OF PULLORUM DISEASE 1931-32 53 



making it difficult to determine the amount of inoculum entering the incision. 

 Each bird received four doses. An acute inflammation was observed in the region 

 of the metatarsal joint in all individuals. The inflammatory changes consisted 

 of enlargement, tenderness, and discoloration of the structures. In one bird the 

 tarsal joint was enlarged. The birds were prone to sit down and if in a standing 

 position very little if any body weight was placed on the inoculated foot. One 

 bird, No. 228, died on September 19. Necropsy findings revealed that death 

 was due to a septicemic form of the disease. 5. pullorum was obtained from the 

 pericardial fluid, liver, spleen, peritoneum, bone marrow, tarsal joint, and digital 

 cushion. Approximately 4 weeks after the first exposure, the clinical manifesta- 

 tions had subsided. 



Table 22 shows that agglutinins were first observed 10 days after the first 

 exposure. The maximum titers in all cases occiu-red approximately 2 weeks after 

 the first exposure. Necropsy findings revealed in all birds a proliferation of the 

 tissues in the region of the metatarsal joint and in one bird (206) an acute peri- 

 carditis. 5. pullorum was isolated from the latter bird only. 



Lot B consisted of 10 birds (4 females and 6 males) which received the inocu- 

 lum in the cloaca. The walls of the cloaca were separated by traction on the 

 borders of the anus. The inoculum was retained as far as could be determined. 

 In a few birds a slight congestion of the cloacal mucosa was observed. Table 22 

 shows that a trace of agglutinins was observed on the sixth day after the first 

 exposure and on the eighth and tenth days agglutinins were well established in 

 all the birds. Although agglutinins appeared earlier than in Lot A, the titers 

 were neither as strong nor as persistent. Necropsy findings revealed no signifi- 

 cant lesions except in one bird. This bird, No. 221 (male) showed an acute peri- 

 carditis. S. pullorum was isolated from this bird only. 



Summary and Discussion 



In Group I ocular inoculation caused an acute local reaction in the tissues 

 within the periorbita as well as a stimulation for the production of agglutinins. 

 Agglutinins were present approximately 7 days after the first ex"posure. Infec- 

 tion was definitely established with characteristic lesions of the disease. S. pul- 

 lorum was recovered from all birds. 



In Group II the birds inoculated by the eye route manifested clinical symp- 

 toms similar to birds in Group I, but less pronounced. This also was true in the 

 lesions observed and in the recovery of S. pullorum. Agglutinins were present 

 in all birds at approximately 7 days. In the birds which were fed the organism, 

 agglutinins appeared at approximately the tenth day in 1 bird. Agglutinins were 

 detected in 3 of the 5 birds during the experiment. No significant lesions were 

 observed at necropsy and 5. pullorum was isolated from one. 



In Group III, the birds, inoculated into the skin incision, all revealed agglu- 

 tinins at approximately the tenth day after the first exposure. Severe inflamma- 

 tory reactions were observed in the region at the point of exposure. Gross 

 lesions were not common and S. pullorum was isolated from 1 bird. The birds 

 inoculated into the cloaca possessed agglutinins at approximately the sixth 

 day after the first ex-posure. At necropsy gross lesions were observed and S. 

 pullorum was isolated from 1 bird only. 



From these observations, it is apparent that birds may become infected when 

 the organism comes in contact with the conjunctiva. In what manner the 

 organisms enter the body cannot be stated at this time, but it does not appear 

 that all or any part of the inoculum passed through the lacrimal duct into either 

 the respiratory or digestive passages and entered the body along those channels. 

 The structures within the periorbita reacted to the infective agent, as manifested 



