"GROUSE DISEASE" 157 



During the whole investigation the only form of disease 

 observed among adult birds was a widespread mortality of 

 " piners " owing to what appeared to be a form of starvation 

 caused by an excessive number of the threadworm known as 

 Trichostrongylus pegracilis in the caeca. This form of disease 

 is quite comparable to the form of " Grouse Disease " described 

 by Cobbold. 



The widespread idea that tapeworms are at the root of one Tapeworms 

 form of trouble is perhaps natural, considering that it is common ^ustfof & 

 knowledge that in some animals they are the cause of serious disease - 

 wasting. Moreover, the very first thing that appears when 

 a Grouse is opened up, whether purposely or accidentally, is 

 a mass of large white tapeworms. What could be more 

 natural, since the bird is wasted to skin and bone, and 

 tapeworms are found in large numbers, than to consider the 

 one to be the cause of the other. But if only threadworms 

 were as conspicuous as tapeworms, outnumbering them as 

 they often do, to an almost incredible extent ; or if some 

 distinction had been earlier recognised between the main gut 

 of the Grouse and its caecal appendices, there would before 

 now have been a strong following of Dr Cobbold, and the 

 pining form of disease would be more readily associated with 

 the presence of the smaller worm. 



All birds dying from Strongylosis must be " piners," because 

 their death results mainly from an inability to absorb nourish- 

 ment owing to the caecal lining or mucosa being damaged. The 

 consequent emaciation is a sine qua non in the diagnosis. 



It is hardly necessary here to quote the accounts of dis- 

 sections which have been recorded from time to time* (many 

 unfortunately in the most cursory manner), with a view to 

 ascertaining what pathological lesions were found to account 

 for death. The subject is fully discussed in the original Report 

 of the Committee, and may be found at greater length in the 

 published works of Dr Cobbold, Professor J. Young, John K. 

 Lord, F. Buckland, Tom Speedy, Professor Klein, and Dr 

 Andrew Wilson. 



