SECTION VI 



BLOOD DISEASES 



Under blood diseases come the septicemias, as apoplectiform 

 septicemia, septicemia of geese, typhoid of fowls, and spiro- 

 chetosis, all caused by germs which live and multiply in the 

 blood stream. 



APOPLECTIFORM SEPTICEMIA IN CHICKENS AND 



PIGEONS 



This disease is due to the Streptococcus gallinarum, which 

 grows in long or short chains. It can be readily grown upon 

 artificial media and does not liquefy gelatin. Experimental 

 inoculations with this organism killed the following animals: 

 chickens, mice, rabbits and swine. It does not kill guinea pigs 

 or dogs. The germ multiplies in the blood. 



Symptoms. — Apoplectiform septicemia is rapid in its prog- 

 ress. The bird shows great prostration, feathers ruffled, loss 

 of appetite, and the condition rapidly terminates in death. 

 Often birds die in from twelve to twenty-four hours after the 

 first symptoms appear. Birds in which no symptoms of the 

 disease had been noticed may be found dead under the roosts. 

 This disease often causes great loss to pigeon fanciers. 



Postmortem Findings. — The spleen is enlarged, dark and 

 soft ; focal necrosis is noted in the kidneys, spleen and liver. 

 Cloudy swelling also occurs preceding this state. Pneumonia 

 may be present. The germs can be isolated in pure culture 

 from any of the organs named. 



Treatment.— Observe the rules of sanitation, as directed 

 for chicken cholera (Page 110). If possible, separate the well 

 birds from the sick. Vaccination with a vaccine made from 

 the Streptococcus gallinarum has given good results. Sulpho- 

 earbolates compound may be tried, as outlined in the article 

 on chicken cholera before mentioned. 



SEPTICEMIA OF GEESE 



This disease has been described as being caused by a germ 

 which closely resembles the polar staining germ of chicken 

 cholera. It multiplies in the blood. 



Symptoms. — Geese are often found dead without having 

 been noted to have been ill. The majority die very quickly, 

 that is, within two or three hours after the first symptoms 

 appear. Occasionally a bird may live for several days and 

 finally die. 



