565 



necrotic masses contained in the larger nodules, but were 

 almost invariably seen in the smaller ones. In a few sections 

 the tapeworm could be traced through the mucosa to the 

 nodule in the muscular tissue in which its head appeared. In 

 the earlier stage of the nodular development there is a cell in- 

 filtration about the head of the worm. This process continues 

 until the infiltrated tissue reaches a considerable size. 



The worms attached to the mucosa were usually small. A 

 larger form was commonly found in the intestinal contents. 

 Although microscopically they appeared to be different, Dr. 

 Stiles found that they were presumably of the same species. 



It appears from the literature that this disease has not 

 heretofore been demonstrated in America. In 1881, Plana de- 

 scribed a disease of fowls in Italy, due to the presence of 

 Taenia bothrioplitis. His article, however, deals more with the 

 anatomy and classification of the infesting cestode than with 

 the character of the lesions it produced. As he illustrates the 

 nodules and heads of tapeworms in the intestinal wall there 

 can be no doubt of the similaritj' of the lesions to those in the 

 disease here described. Although fowls and bii'ds are not in- 

 frequently infested with tapeworms, the lesions produoed by 

 these parasites are, with the exception indicated above, said 

 to be more or less catarrhal in naturo, 



******* 



Economic importance. — The imiljortance of this disease is 

 much greater than it at fiist appears, as the close resemblance 

 of the nodules to those of tuberculosis renders it of much signi- 

 ficance from a different standpoint. As the intestines are 

 stated to be frequently the seat of the specific lesions of tuber- 

 culosis in fowls, it is of the greatest importance that a 

 thorough examination be made before a positive diagnosis is 

 pronounced. There are already several statements concerning 

 the presence of tuberculosis in fowls in which the data given 

 are not sufflcient to differentiate the disease from the one here 

 described. A somewhat analagous disease of sheepi caused by 

 a nematoid (Oesophagostoma rolumbianum Curtice) has led 

 to the deliberate destruction of many animals, the owners be- 

 lieving that tuberculosis was being eliminated from their 

 flocks. As the inquiry into the cause of poultry diseases be- 

 comes more general, it is piobable that this affection will be 

 occasionally encountered and unless its nature is recognized 

 it may in some instances, like the sheep disease, lead to an un- 

 warranted destruction of properly. 



'Animal parasites of sheep. Biirf-au of Animal Indu.'^try. De- 

 partment of Agriculture, 1890, p. 165. 



