218 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



diphtheritic sore throat. On the other hand it is 

 asserted that the diphtheria of children is sometimes 

 communicated to birds, and that the contagion may 

 be thus preserved for a considerable time and again 

 transmitted to children. The avian diphtheria affects 

 the common fowl, turkeys, ducks, pea-fovv^ls, pigeons, 

 pheasants and probably many other 

 varieties of birds. In some out- 

 breaks, it is very acute, progresses 

 with great rapidity, and destroys 

 most of the birds attacked. 



Symptoms. — When first attacked, 

 the affected birds present the synip- 

 toms of common cold or catarrh. 

 There is a watery secretion from the 

 nostrils and often from the eyes, with 

 general weakness and prostration 

 greater than would be expected from 

 simple catarrh. The birds sit with 

 the back arched, the head and neck 

 drawn down towards the body, the Fig-. 66.— Floor of 



, , 1 ,, • • the mouth showing 



plumage roughened; the respiration the diphtheritic exu- 



", , . . , date over the toiii^ue. 



IS more or less obstructed, rapid, 

 audible and strident; the vision is impaired and 

 swallowing is difficult. There is frequent shaking of 

 the head, sneezing and expectoration of mucous secre- 

 tions. If the mouth is examined at this early period 

 the tongue is found to be pale, while small grayish 

 spots, shaded with black, and slightly projecting 

 above the surface are seen along the border, the upper 

 surface or at the base. 



The following day the condition is aggravated, the 

 temperature is several degrees above the normal, the 

 appetite has disappeared, and there is diarrhea with 



