620 CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



flock will produce emaciation and a general unthrifty condi- 

 tion. Finding the parasites in large numbers, and negative 

 autopsy will suffice for differentiation. (c) Rheumatic 

 arthritis, or arthritis urica may resemble joint tuberculosis. 

 In doubtful cases a microscopic examination (tubercle bacilli) 

 may be resorted to. 



Prognosis. —Unfavorable. 



Treatment.— No treatment is of any value after the disease 

 has once become established. 



P Surgical. —Localized abscesses as they occur in parrots 

 should be incised freely, and the contents thoroughly removed 

 with a curette. Tincture of iodin is applied to abscess 

 cavities. 



Prevention.— On account of the disease being difficult to 

 diagnose until well established, separation of the sick from 

 the healthy birds is not feasible. In valuable birds the 

 tuberculin test with segregation should be tried. Removing 

 the reactors will assist in controlling the disease. If this 

 cannot be done, it is recommended that the entire flock be 

 killed, all diseased fowls burned, and the healthy ones sold 

 for food. The premises should be thoroughly disinfected, 

 buildings, coops, etc., washed with bichlorid solution (1 to 

 2000) . The soil in the runs should be saturated with liquor 

 cresolis compositus (3 per cent.). 



A new flock of birds should not be obtained before at 

 least six months have elapsed. Thoroughness in the cleaning 

 and disinfection is very important if good results are to be 

 expected. 



TUBERCULOSIS OF DOGS AND CATS. 



Occurrence and Form.— Tuberculosis is not very often 

 observed in dogs and cats. As the pulmonary form is most 

 common, the infection is probably transmitted to the lungs 

 on inhaled particles of dust. In some cases, primary involve- 

 ment of the digestive tract is found, indicating that the germs 

 were probably taken in with the food. Rarely do we find 

 infection has taken place through any other channel. 



