DISEASES OF THE DIOESTTVE TRACT 127 



tliat tlie wild ducks were dying in large numbers. A careful 

 ciutopsy was held on these birds. There were small pearl-like 

 nodule's throughout the lung of one of the ducks, as shown in 

 Fig. 55. Both sliowod ulcerations of the mucous membrane 

 of the intestiiud tract. These ulcerations were numerous, as 

 many as eight or ten in each bird, aiul extended the entire 

 U'ngth of the intestines. Fig. 56 illustrates this condition. 

 Upon microscopic exami- 

 nation of these lesions, as 

 well as of the lung nod- 

 ules, coccidia were noted 

 which reseml)led the Coc- 

 cidiiim tenellum, one of 

 the specific causes of white 

 diarrhea in chicks. 



PROTOZOAL HEPATITIS 

 OF PIGEONS 



Rivolta found a proto- 

 zoan provided with one or 

 two tlagella which he 

 called Cercomonas he pat is. 

 These protozoa penetrate 

 the liver of the pigeon and 

 produce necrotic areas. 

 The liver appears enlarged 

 and studded with greyish- 

 yellow^ multiple foci. 



Young pigeons may die suddenly without showing symp- 

 toms of any disease. 



RENAL COCCIDIOSIS 



The Coccidium avium may invade various organs of the 

 body and produce lesions from Avhich the bird may finally 

 succumb. 



Railliet observed the invasion of the kidneys of the goose 

 in which the symptoms were those of progressive emaciation, 

 weak, staggery gait. At times the bird may roll over on its 

 back, thus assuming a dorsal position. There is a loss of appe- 

 tite, gradual emaciation, unthrifty appearance and finally 



death. 



At autopsy the kidneys showed small whitish nodules, vary- 

 ing in size up to a piiihead. At times the lesions are found 

 rather diffused. A microscopic examination of the nodules 

 show them to be filled with masses of the encysted coccidia. 



Fig. 55. Pulmonary Coccidiosis in a Duck. 



A, nodules in lung caused by the cocci- 

 dium (natuial size). 



Fig. 55. Intestinal Coccidiosis in a Duck. 



B, ulcers caused by the coccidium (natural 

 size). 



