ASPERGILLOSIS 115 
liver, intestine and spleen, being less of a pulmonary disease in 
birds than is the case in other animals. The tubercles are of a 
fleshy type on cross section and show small yellowish points. Coc- 
cidiosis is practically confined to the intestinal tract. Its lesions 
are of a necrotic type involving principally the duodenum and ceca. 
Aspergillosis tends to localize on the walls of the air passages and 
forms a moldy growth generally exhibiting a greenish tinge, at least 
in spots. 
Microscopic examination of the morbid material furnishes a spe- 
cific diagnosis since the causative organisms in each case are usually 
numerous and very different in morphology. 
The disease in young chicks called brooder pneumonia, shows 
symptoms similar to those of bacillary white diarrhea and cocci- 
diosis. In all three the chicks have a droopy appearance associated 
with diarrhea and loss of appetite. In general it may be said that 
bacillary white diarrhea is more highly fatal, with deaths occurring 
shortly after hatching. Coccidiosis usually appears at a later period 
and is also apt to result in heavy losses.. Autopsy is necessary, how- 
ever, for positive diagnosis. The lesions in the air passages are not 
as extensive as in older fowls because of the acuteness of the af- 
fection, but may be discerned by careful examination. Bacillary 
white diarrhea is a purely septicemic disease, while coccidiosis usu- 
ally shows intestinal lesions with accumulation of necrotic or blood 
stained material in the ceca. Microscopie or cultural methods may 
be resorted to in obscure cases. 
Treatment. It is inadvisable to attempt treatment because of 
the deep seated position of the parasitic fungus, its resistance to 
remedial agents and the advanced stage of the attack when symptoms 
are observed. 
Prevention. The widespread distribution of Aspergillus fumi- 
gatus renders absolute prevention difficult. Care in the selection of 
grain and litter will minimize to a great degree the chances of in- , 
fection. Good housing arrangements which guard against dampness 
will prevent the propagation of molds if present to a slight extent in 
feed or litter. When the disease is discovered in a flock the source 
of infection should be located. The feed may have a musty odor or 
a greenish appearance in places, or straw litter may be moldy. In 
the former instance cooking will destroy the fungus. Moldy litter 
should be discarded. 
Experiments have shown the possibility of infection being carried 
to newly hatched chicks through the egg. The mycelia of the fungus 
