History of A nivial Plagues. 545 



ments, and even in the cities. These societies have invited Pro- 

 fessor Huzard to gather information on this subject, and to 

 make any researches he may deem necessary. The Society of 

 Medicine has Hkewise authorized the citizen Bouvier to pursue 

 his investigations conjointly with M. Huzard. This cpizocity pre- 

 vailed during last year in the Island of Zante. I am informed 

 oF this by citizen Rhuliere, who was then intrusted with certain 

 functions by the French Government at that place.' ^ 



From the description afforded us by Hundius, it appears that 

 vomiting was a most prominent symptom in a great many 

 countries.'^ 



Brera, in his post-mortem examinations, discovered that ' the 

 cavity of the stomach did not show anything except a greenish 

 mucus, which was also found alone: the whole course of the in- 

 testinal canal. ^^ 



A disease in fowls in the United States is described by Dr 

 Wiesenthal, Professor of Anatomy at Baltimore. He says : 

 ' There is a disease prevalent among the gallinaceous poultry in 

 this country called the gapes, which destroys eight-tenths of our 

 fowls in many parts, and takes place in the greatest degree 

 amons; voung turkeys and chickens bred upon established farms. 

 Chicks and poults, in a few days after they are hatched, are 

 found frequently to open their mouths wide and gasp for breath, 

 at the same time sneezing and attempting to swallow. At first 

 the affection is slight, i)ut gradually becomes more and more op- 

 pressive,and ultimately destroys. Very few recover; they languish, 

 grow dispirited, droop, and die. It is generally known that 

 these symptoms are occasioned by worms in the trachea. I have 

 seen the whole windpipe completely filled with these worms, 

 and have been astonished at the fowls being capable of respira- 

 tion under such circumstances.'^ 



' Buniva. Op. cit., pp. 273, 286, 292. 



^ Hundius. Op. cit., p. 9. " Brera. Op. cit., p. 12. 



* Since the clays of Dr Wicscnthal, this worm or parasite has been receiving 

 some attention. In scientific classification it has oljtaincd tlie honouraljle title of 

 Sckrostoma Syngainus . Dr Spencer Cobljold informs us that ' this parasite has 

 been found and recorded as occurring in the trachea of the following birds, namely, 

 the turkey, domestic cock, pheasant, partridge, common duck, lapwing, lilack 



35 



