microbial diseases of man and domestic anima-ls' 863 



Canine Distemper* 



This disease (Maladie des jeunes chiens; Fr.) is so widespread that 

 the great majority of adult dogs may be regarded as having suffered 

 from an attack and recoverfed. It is practically confined to very young 

 animals and, so far as known, no species except dogs are susceptible. 

 The disease is attended by more or less extensive coryza with a dis- 

 charge from the eyes. There is an eruption on the skin and frequently 

 nervous disorders of various kinds. The animal becomes emaciated 

 and may die from bronchial pneumonia. No organisrn has been fully 

 accepted as the cause of this disease. Carre has reported that he has 

 succeeded in passing the infectious agent in nasal discharges through 

 earthen filters, the filtrate reproducing distemper in characteristic form. 

 Ferry has announced the discovery of an organism as the causal 

 agent. Some attempts have been made to produce a protective serum. 



Cattle Plague* 



This disease (rinderpest), which is probably the severest and most 

 contagious of all cattle diseases, is characterized by high fever and 

 lesions of the intestinal tract. It does not exist in the United States 

 but is found in Europe, S. Africa and Asia. Extensive outbreaks 

 have occurred in the PhiUppine Islands. Tie cause of cattle plague has 

 never been isolated and the indications are that it is caused by an 

 invisible microorganism. Cattle plague was the first disease in which 

 the process of "hyperimmunization" was practised. Immune cattle 

 receive massive injections of blood from diseased cattle. After this 

 treatment the blood serum of the immune is used to protect non- 

 immunes. Enormous quantities of this serum are prepared and 

 applied yearly by the British government in India. 



Chicken Pest* 



This disease (Huhner Pest; Ger.: Peste aviaire; Fr.) of fowls, which 

 is to be distinguished from chicken cholera, is not known in the United 

 States, but has caused extensive losses of fowls in Europe, particularly 

 in Italy. Affected chickens cease eating, the feathers become ruffled 

 and the comb darker in color. The lesions found at autopsy are not 



* Prepared by M. Dorset. 



