172 POULTRY DISEASES 



and texture. Serum (yellowish fluid) and blood may exude 

 from the surface. 



PNEUMOMYCOSIS— ASPERGILLOSIS 



This disease is due to a fungus belonging to the genus 

 aspergillus, an organism similar to the common green molds. 

 The species that usually affects the lungs of birds is the 

 Aspergillus fumigaUts. 



Symptoms. — The affected birds are sluggish and stay apart 

 from the remainder of the flock ; they sit about on the roosts, 

 or in some corner; they are very weak, and later become un- 

 able to stand. There is a loss of appetite ; the feathers have 

 an unkempt appearance ; the wings are drooping and the eyes 

 ])artially closed. The respiration is accelerated and there is 

 a rattling of mucus in the trachea and bronchi. Fever is 

 present, and there is ordinarily considerable thirst. The 

 affected bird usually dies after a prolonged illness. 



Postmortem Appearance. — Whitish or yellowish nodules, 

 varying in size up to a pea, will be noted in the affected 

 parts; which may be the trachea, bronchi, lungs and the vari- 

 ous air sacs. The fungus may grow upon the surface of the 

 mucous membranes forming, at first, a felt-like, whitish mass 

 which takes on color according to the species of the fungus 

 as it fruits (forms spores). This membranous material, to 

 the naked eye, resembles a fibropurulent exudate. The ob- 

 struction of the air sacs causes the difficult breathing and 

 asphyxiation. 



Inflammation is evident in the diseased areas. Sections 

 through these areas of disease show the mycelia (thread-like 

 branches of the mold) and the characteristic spores. Focal 

 necrosis, preceded by cloudy swelling, is noted in the kidneys 

 and other vital organs. A secondary invasion of pus-produc- 

 ing organisms may take place and on autopsy abscesses may 

 be found in the liver, kidneys, spleen and other organs. 



Treatment.— This is a difficult problem. Placing the af- 

 fected birds in a close box and smoking them with tar has 

 been advocated. Efforts should be made to eradicate the 

 disease from the premises by cleaning and disinfecting them 

 as for roup and other infectious diseases. (See pages 110 

 and 179.) 



SWELL-HEAD IN YOUNG TURKEYS 



The most characteristic symptoms of this ailment is swell- 

 ing of certain parts of the head, especially in the region of 

 the maxillary or infraorbital sinus, which becomes filled with 



