I04 POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



This fungus causes thrush in children and calves. This disease 

 may also occasionally affect the mouth. It is impossible to 

 distinguish it from other diseases causing similar formations 

 except by microscopic examination. The treatment is the same 

 as for canker. 



Aspergillosis (Mycosis of the Air Passages). 



This is a very common disease of poultry, often mistaken for 

 tuberculosis. In adult fowls it is frequent cause of the con- 

 dition known as "going light," while in young chickens it prob- 

 ably ranks next to white diarrhoea as a lethal agent. 



The discussion of this disease here relates primarily to adult 

 fowls. Aspergillosis in young chicks is treated in Chap. XIX. 



Diagnosis. Salmon gives the following account of the symp- 

 toms of this disease. "In the early stages of the disease no 

 symptoms are noticed, and it is only after it has progressed 

 ■considerably that these become apparent. The affected birds 

 do not follow the flock; they are very weak, scarcely able to 

 stand, and consequently remain by themselves and move about 

 very little. They remain in a recumbent position, resting upon 

 the sternum, are sleepy, and, if forced to run, soon fall from ex- 

 haustion. The plumage is dull and rough, the v\^ings are pen- 

 dant, the eyelids partly closed, the head depressed. The respi- 

 raton is accelerated and accompanied by a rattling or snoring 

 sound, particularly during the expiration, and becomes difficult 

 and labored, the bird opening its beak from time to time, in 

 order to take a long inspiration. The temperature of the body is 

 eievated, the thirst increased and the appetite is diminished or 

 disappears. There is more or less catarrh of the trachea and 

 bronchi, with emaciation and diarrhea leading to death from ex- 

 haustion in from i to 8 weeks. When the disease is limited to 

 the air-sacs of the interior of the body, emaciation may be the 

 only symptom ; but when it extends to the bones there may be 

 lameness with swollen and painful joints." 



"In examining the birds after death, the seat of the disease 

 may be found in the trachea, bronchi, lungs, and various air- 

 sacs, and other internal organs. It is sometimes, though rarely, 

 found in the nostrils and in the air-sacs of the interior of the 

 bones. Two kinds of lesions are found. There may be tuber- 

 cles resembling those of tuberculosis. These are whitish or yel- 



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