FOWL PEST 591 



lowish-green fecal material. Catarrhal inflammation of the 

 intestinal mucosa, in varying degrees of intensity, is found 

 throughout its course. The lungs are but slightly involved 

 in the majority of cases. 



Symptoms.— These develop suddenly after a period of 

 incubation of three to five days. They consist chiefly of 

 depression, marked dulness, plumage becomes rough, comb 

 and wattles bluish-red; drowsiness, coma, paralysis. The 

 fowl will seek dark places, sit with head down in a crouching 

 attitude, and refuse to move except when forced to do so. 

 They will show a staggering gait, and as the disease pro- 

 gresses will not be able to walk. There is nearly always a 

 profuse discharge from the eyes, the conjunctiva inflamed 

 and swollen. Collections of a similar secretion are found 

 in the nasal passages, mouth and throat. On opening the 

 mouth the membrane will show injection; in some cases 

 hemorrhages and a thick glutinous collection over its surface. 

 The bird often shakes its head and sneezes frequently to 

 discharge the exudate which has collected. The bowel dis- 

 charges may be normal in appearance, or thin, watery and 

 have, a greenish tinge. Sometimes hemorrhages occur in the 

 bowels which give the feces a red or brown color. 

 . As the disease progresses the bird becomes much weaker, 

 shows marked dyspnea and dies from paralysis. Some 

 cases show spasms and convulsions shortly before death. 



The course of the disease is usually three to five days. 

 Subacute cases last five to eight days. 



Diagnosis.— There is always some difficulty in differen- 

 tiating between fowl pest and fowl cholera. The symptoms 

 and autopsy are so similar that it is necessary to make a 

 microscopic examination to determine whether or not the 

 bacilli of fowl cholera are present. In fowl pest no organisms 

 are found on microscopic examination, nor on cultures. 



Differential Diagnosis.— The differential diagnosis will 

 depend upon: (a) Microscopic findings; (6) the infectio- 

 contagious character of the disease (to distinguish from 

 ptomain poisoning) ; (c) the well-known infectiousness of 

 cholera virus to pigeons which are not susceptible to fowl 

 pest. 



