DISEASES OF POUI^TKV. 



223 



by Pfeiffer which was attributed by these authors to 

 flagellate infusoria. A similar disease in pigeons 

 believed to be caused by bacteria was investigated by 

 Loeffler. Purulent collections about the head and 

 oesophagus sometimes resemble diphtheria very 

 closely. The disease of the skin known as chirken 

 pox and sore head, caused by blastomycetes, has by 

 some writers been called diphtheria. 

 Aspergillosis of the mouth in 

 pigeons and croupous enteritis of 

 fowls produced by coccidia are also 

 diseases which may be mistaken 

 for diphtheria. These various dis- 

 eases must be borne in mind in 

 determining the nature of any 

 outbreak. 



Treatment. — The treatment 

 may be divided into three parts : 

 1st, measures for preventing the 

 introduction of the contagion; 2d, 

 measures for suppressing the dis- 

 ease in the flock, and 3d, treatment 

 of individvial birds. 



The prevention of diphtheria is 

 mucn more successful than its cure, 

 and, besides, it saves much time and many valuable 

 birds that will succumb before treatment can be com- 

 menced or notwithstanding treatment. Fowls should 

 not be allowed to mingle with those on neighboring 

 premises. If some of the birds have been to a show 

 or if new birds have been purchased for the flock, 

 quarantine them at a distance from the home flock for 

 thirty days before they are allowed to go together. 

 While in quarantine they should be examined from 



Fig-. ii7. - Roof of the 

 mouth shnwing the exu- 

 date of diphtheria. 



