APPENDIX III. 



PSOROSPERMS OR COCCIDIA. AMCEBA n.l 



PSOROSPERMS OR COCCIDIA. 



GREYISH-WHITE nodules may occasionally be found in the liver of a 

 rabbit, the result of a disease which may be mistaken for tttW 

 culosis. This disease often proves fatal, and may occur in an 

 epidemic form in rabbit warrens. The nodules have cheesy or 

 purulent contents, which are found, on microscopical examinat 

 to contain great quantities of Coccidium ovif&rme. 



The coccidia pass from the intestine into the bile-ducte. The 

 walls of the bile-ducts become dilated and folded ; and irreg 

 cavities result from the partial or complete disappearance of the 

 dividing walls of the altered ducts. The folds are c-oin pose- 

 connective tissues lined with columnar epithelium, ;m<l tin- oxii.li.t, 

 in different stages of development, are found between the cells, and 

 free in the cavities of the nodules. 



The individual coccidia are egg-shaped bodies. They possess a 

 thick smooth shell, with an opening, or ///"/"/<///<?, at one end, 

 protoplasmic contents which may completely fill the < i be 



collected into a spherical mass. 



After passing from the liver and intestine, these oval bodies 

 undergo a further development. According to Leuckart, who has 

 very fully described this parasite, the protoplasmic content* divide 

 into four masses, and from each is developed a C-shaped hyni 

 rod, the cavity of which is occupied by closely packed granules. 

 this condition they remain until they gain access to a f re>i 



Coccidium oviforme has been found in the human liv.-r. :m<l also 

 in sheep, dogs, and cats. Similar, but not H.-nti.-al, bodies 

 mice, and also in fish and other cold-blooded animals. 



M>'vscher'8 tubes are peculiar structures fc.uii'l in 

 sheep, deer, and mice. They consist of a firm envelope inclosing a 

 number of reniform or bean-shaped bodies. 



808 - ; -' 



