SECTION VII 



CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 



Under this head we class ' ' going light ' ' and tuberculosis. 



Both cause considerable loss to the poultryman. There is 

 much doubt as to whether the former should be classed as a 

 disease; certainly this term as usually applied refers merely 

 to a symptom of a disease (often tuberculosis or enteritis) or 

 a condition in Avhicli there is a progressive loss in the weight 

 of the bird. 



GOING LIGHT (ASTHENIA) 



Those who look upon going light as a specific disease con- 

 sider it as one that affects chickens and pigeons. It may affect 

 old or young birds. It is called going light because the bird 

 becomes gradually lighter until emaciated. It is a disease that 

 is found in all parts of the United States. A germ called the 

 Bacterium asthene has been isolated bv one investigator from 

 the intestines of sick birds. It resembles the Bacillus coli 

 comnmnis always present in the intestinal tract of chickens. 



The affected birds have a good appetite ; in fact, at times a 

 ravenous one. The loss of flesh is continuous for a few weeks, 

 when the bird dies. 



In eleven cases of going light examined by the pathological 

 laboratory of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry 

 three were found to be infected by the Bacillus enteritidis. 

 This germ is dangerous to man. It affects cattle and has re- 

 sulted fatally to those persons eating infected meat. 



Postmorteyn FincUngs. — Usually on autopsy all organs ap- 

 pear normal so far as gross appearance goes, but extreme 

 emaciation as described above is noted. 



The following is the result of a blood study in these cases: 



Report of Cases of Asthenia 



Two outbreaks have been investigated by the author. One in a 

 flock of Rhode Island Reds, in which flock there were about two 

 hundred birds which should have weighed about two pounds each. 

 The disease affected a gradually increasing number. The feed con- 

 sisted of grain, insects picked up from the fields, and plenty of 

 green grass. As it was irrigation time, the birds had access to 

 the irrigating ditches. The henhouse and yard were kept clean. 

 It was advised to change the run and continue giving a variety 

 of good green feed and grain with a good supply of water. The 

 disease finally disappeared from the flock. All efforts at the labora- 



