56 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
to move. The wings droop, the eyes are closed, the feathers are 
ruffled and the head is turned on the shoulder. When attempt is 
made to move, great weakness is evident. The bird usually avoids 
the perch. Convulsions precede death by a short period. In more 
chronic’ cases there is a discharge from the nostrils and eyelids, 
coughing, snuffling and difficult, panting respiration. Emaciation 
is evidenced by prominent breast bone and loss of weight. Vomiting 
is occasionally observed. 
The disease is usually fatal and hope of recovery may be enter- 
tained only in cases which survive for eight or nine days and which 
display some appetite. Most die in from three to five days after 
sickness is noted. 
The incubation period in natural exposure varies from three days 
to several weeks. 
Morbid anatomy. The organs of the abdominal cavity show 
intense congestion and ecchymoses are present in the peritoneum. 
Small grayish spots may be observed in the liver, spleen and kid- 
neys. The spleen is usually enlarged and soft in texture. The 
intestines show general congestion, or catarrh and often contain 
ulcers on the mucosa. The muscles often present a striated and 
spotted appearance. The heart muscle is often dark or hemor- 
rhagic. Ecchymoses may be present in the endocardium and peri- 
cardium. The lungs may present various conditions such as total 
consolidation, yellowish pneumonic patches, areas of atelectasis or 
of congestion. The air sacs may contain fibrinous or fluid exudate. 
Treatment. The patient should be kept in a room having a 
temperature of from 90° to 100° F. continuously. Gray advises 
that aspirin or cyllin may be given in the drinking water. In cases 
showing improvement, the aspirin may be replaced by aromatic sul- 
phuric acid and quinine sulphate. Food may consist of bread and 
milk, banana, sponge cake soaked in sherry, etc. 
Prevention. The most effective prevention would consist of 
improvement of methods of isolation of individuals and of general 
conditions on shipboard. Prophylaxis on shore involves perfect 
segregation of birds and the application of disinfection. 
DISEASE OF PIGEONS CAUSED BY A BACILLUS OF THE 
HOG CHOLERA GROUP 
Moore observed an infection in pigeons in New Jersey caused by 
an organism closely related to Bacillus suipestifer. 
