NEUROLYMPHOMATOSIS 1\ CHICKENS 23 



from mast cells, and the presence or absence of Kinpholilasts in the lilood stream 

 was not determined. Aside from these differences the blood was stained and 

 counted the same as for the birds in Flock C. The object of this experiment was 

 to determine whether it is possible to diagnose neurolymphomatosis by roughly 

 counting the blood. The technician counting the blood did not see the birds 

 until the blood had been counted and a report made. Birds Nos. 36 and 40 had 

 high leukoc>te counts and were diagnosed correctly b\- the technician. Birds 

 Nos. 37 and 39 had high 1\ niphocyte counts and were diagnosed as neuroKni- 

 phomatot ic before necrops\-. The blood counts of the other six were normal and the 

 diagnosis made b>- the technician was not confirmed at necropsy. In this experi- 

 ment the technician relying on blood counts diagnosed only 36.6 per cent cf the 

 cases of neurolymphomatosis correctK'. 



The birds listed in Table 6, Group 2, were in Flock E, which was a mixed group 

 of birds ccming from several places in Massachusetts. Birds Nos. 44, 47, 49, 

 and 51 were down and unable to arise. Necropsy- revealed extensi\-e nerve in- 

 filtration, and blood counts showed marked l\mphoc}tosis. Positive diagnoses 

 were made in these cases from the blood counts. Bird No. 45 showed mild 

 symptoms of disease and an examination of the blood revealed a leukoc\tosis. 

 This case was diagnosed correctK- b>' the blood count. Birds Nos. 46, 48, and 

 50 gave normal counts which led to mistaken diagnoses. In this trial 62.5 per 

 cent of the cases of neuroK mphomatosis were diagnosed correctly from the 

 blood counts. 



The Hematology of Birds from Flocks D and E Affected With Diseases 

 Other Than Uncomplicated Neurolymphomatosis 



Two birds in Flock D appeared to be parahzed, but no lesions of disease were 

 found at necropsy. A study of Table 7, Group 1, shows that both birds gave 

 high lymphocyte counts. The cause of disease in these two birds was not satis- 

 factorily determined. Histological sections of the nervous system did not 

 reveal an\' evidence of infiltration. 



The average age of the birds in Flock D was six months greater than in Flock C 

 and the number of cases of neuroK mphomatosis complicated b>' h'mphoc\to- 

 matosis was doubled. Group 2, shows that all of the red blood counts, except 

 in birds Nos. 71 and 77, were low and the hemoglobin was low in all of the birds. 

 The blood clotting time was prolonged in Nos. 67, 70, 72, 73, 74, 76, 80, 81, and 

 82. Eosinophilia was noted in Nos. 70, 73, and 78. L\ mphocytosis was evident 

 in bird No. 69. This stud>' indicates that there is a definite relation between 

 lymphocytomatosis and anemia. 



Four birds in F"lock E) (Group 3) were affected with hmphocxlomas only. 

 The white cell count in all four was high. The differential counts show that the 

 eosinophilic leukocytes were high in Nos. 93, 95, and 96, and the small lympho- 

 cytes were above normal in bird No. 94. 



Eight cases of myeloleukosis were found in Flock D (Group 4). All of these 

 birds showed relatively low red cell counts and hemoglobin determinations. 

 The blood clotting time was prolonged so that the birds bled easil\-, and the 

 white cell count was high in all except No. 109. This bird gave a normal white 

 cell count. Eosinophilic myeloc>tes were present in the blood of all of the birds 

 in varying percentages and the eosinophilic granular leukocytes were above 

 normal. Basophilic myeloc\tes were identified in the blood of No. 103. 



