SKCTIOX XIV 



BACTERIA OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT OF 



CHICKENS 



The ])acterial flora of the intestinal traet of birds has been 

 receiving considerable stndy during recent years. I'he ali- 

 mentary tract of man and animals contains many niilli(ms of 

 bacteria, of many varieties. Manv of these are consianllv 

 present and constitute what is known as the normal intestinal 

 flora. In the newly-born child or animal the intestinal tract 

 is sterile, that is, it contains no germs, but as soon as it par- 

 takes of food and water the intestines are seeded and evcL- 

 after contain bacteria in large numbers. The same ^an be 

 said of the chick. 



Some of these germs are not harmful, but give off fer- 

 ments similar to the cells of the accessory glands of diges- 

 tion; these ferments may aid in splitting up foodstuffs and 

 in preparing it for absorption. Ferments of this kind have 

 been called organized ferments, but we have now learned 

 that such ferments do not in any way differ in action from 

 those secreted by the stomach, pancreas or intestinal glands. 

 It is their ferments, and not the germs themselves, that cause 

 the splitting up of the food nutrients. 



Some of the bacteria are at times injurious, and oftentimes 

 pathogenic organisms gain access to the intestinal tract and 

 may produce disease, if the bird is susceptible. There are 

 also, at times, protozoa present, especially those belonging to 

 the coccidia group. 



The following organisms have been found in the normal 

 mouth and pharynx of the fowl: Bacillus suhtilis. Bacillus 

 coli conymunis, Bacillus lactis hulgaricus, Bacillus viscosus, 

 Bacillus cloacae, Pneumococcus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Sta- 

 plnjlococcus pyogenes aureus. Micrococcus magnus. Micrococ- 

 cus tetragenes, Pseiido pyocyaneus. Bacillus procligiosus. 



The following germs have been found as normal inhabitants 

 of the duodenum, or first portion of the intestines, of birds : 



Bacillus mesentericus. Bacillus suhtilis. Bacillus ramosus, 

 Bacillus sereus. Bacillus asterosporus, Bacillns fusiformis. 

 Bacillus coli communis, Streptococcus lacticus, Bacillus lactis 

 aerogenes, Bacillus prodigiosus, Sarcina aurantiaca, Sarcina 

 lutea, Sarcina ventriculus. Clathodrix asteroides, Micrococcus 

 rosettaceus, brown, white, and green molds, coral and white 

 yeasts, Micrococcus roseiis and Clamydothrix ferrugenes. 



