GROUSE DISEASE 191 



the Bacillus coli group, a widely spread group 

 of bacteria which are found universally in the 

 alimentary tract and which rapidly invade the 

 tissues of the body after death. At the time 

 Klein was working bacteriology was compara- 

 tively a new subject, and this invasion by bacteria 

 of the tissues at the time of and after death 

 was not appreciated. 



Klein's grouse disease was associated also 

 with some congestion of the lungs ; the wind- 

 pipe was described as dark in colour; the air- 

 sacs contained blood ; in the cavities of the lungs 

 blood or some granular exudation occurred; 

 the liver and kidneys were congested and soft; 

 and there was an exudation on the peritoneum. 

 We now, however, know that many, if not all, 

 of these appearances in the chief organs of the 

 body are but normal post mortem changes and 

 occur sooner or later after death in birds which 

 were perfectly healthy when killed. Another 

 feature attributed to the Klein's grouse disease 

 was that its onset was comparatively sudden, 

 its course rapid, and according to all observers 

 it attacked healthy and plump birds. The Grouse 

 Disease Inquiry did not succeed in coming across 

 any sick or dead birds which are plump or in 



