SPIROCHAETOSIS IN GEESE 307 
SPIROCHAETOSIS OF GEESE 
Synonyms. Spirillosis of geese; spirillose des cies; Gansespirillose. 
Characterization. Spirochetosis in geese is characterized by 
emaciation, loss of appetite and the presence of Treponema anserina 
in the blood. It is said that the disease may be transmitted to tur- 
keys, canaries, crows, magpies, sparrows and larks but as a rule it is 
not fatal. Pigeons are said to be refractory. Very young chickens are 
slightly susceptible and rarely die from inoculation. 
History. This disease was discovered by Sacharow in the Trans- 
caucasus in 1890. He described the organism causing it which was 
present in large numbers in the 
blood and named it S. anserina 
(according to Calkins, JT. anser- 
ina). In 1898 Gabritchewsky made 
an exhaustive study of the rela- 
tionship between the spirochzetosis 
of geese and recurrent fever in 
man. He also obtained an immu- 
nizing serum. In 1899 Cantacu- 
zene determined the method of 
destruction of the parasite in the 
blood. Duschunkowsky and Luhs 
in 1907 reported the disease to be 
quite prevalent in the Caucasus. 
Fic. 68. 1. ANSERINA FROM THE BLOOD 
Geographical distribution. This OF A Goose (after Cantscuzéne). 
disease has been found in South- 
ern Russia and in Tunis. Spirochetosis has been reported from 
several other localities. It is a disease, however, that has not been 
fully investigated and the extent of its distribution and frequency is 
not known. 
Etiology. It is caused by T. anserina. It is from 6 to 15¥. in 
length.and about 0.214 in width. It has from 2 to 7 or more spirals. 
The spirochete has at each extremity a cilium of variable length.* 
*The cilia are clearly demonstrated by making smears of the blood on clean slides, 
treating them with hydrochloric acid and absolute alcohol, passing them through the 
flame and then allowing them to dry in the air. The slide is then washed with a jet 
of blue distilled water. It is dried by means of blotting paper and a few drops of 
Léffler’s or Bunge’s mordant solution are poured on the slide which is then heated until 
boiling over Bunsen flame. It is then thoroughly washed and dried with blotting 
paper. The preparation is then treated with a few drops of aqueous solution of Gentian 
violet, heated to a boiling point for a few seconds, thoroughly washed in a stream of 
distilled water and immediately examined while moist. The preparation may be dried 
and mounted in balsam. 
