32 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



ent knowledge, to say positively whether contagious 

 catarrh. and diphtheria are essentially one and the same 

 disease or whether they constitute two distinct and un - 

 related plagues. Considering only the symptoms, it is 

 possible to draw a sharp and definite line, as most 

 veterinary writers have done, placing on the one side 

 all those outbreaks which have only catarrhal manifes - 

 tations, and on the other those which clearly show diph- 

 theritic patches with false membranes. Dr. Moore's 

 investigations seem to indicate that both diseases are 

 caused by the same germ, the only difference being in 

 the grade of virulence. If this inference should prove 

 correct, it would justify the common usage of applying 

 the term roup to both forms of disease. At present, 

 however, it appears preferable and in accordance with 

 the preponderance of evidence to describe them as two 

 diseases rather than as two forms of the same disease. 



Symptoms. — The early symptoms of this disease 

 can not be clearly distinguished from those of simple 

 catarrh, though the dulness and prostration are 

 usually greater and there is often a peculiar offensive 

 odor, which are valuable points .to aid in reaching 

 a decision. There is at firist a thin, watery discharge 

 from the nostrils with some obstruction to breathing 

 from swelling of the mucous membrane. The dis- 

 charge soon becomes thicker and more sticky or 

 glutinous, causing the affected birds to sneeze and 

 shake their heads in an effort to free the air passages. 

 The subjects are dull, quiet, without much appetite 

 and more or less feverish. The plumage is rough, the 

 wings pendant, the comb and wattles dark red. 



As the disease advances, the inflammation extends, 

 from the mucous membrane of the nostrils along the 

 internal surface of the passage connecting the nostrils 



