COCCIDIOSIS 133 
a central, rounded, darkened area surrounded by a wide, clear, 
transparent zone with double contoured border. Other stages of de- 
velopment may be observed, however, the odcyst form is most easily 
recognized. Symptomatically the disease may be confused with ba- 
cillary white diarrhea and aspergillosis in young chicks, and with 
tuberculosis, aspergillosis, and infectious leukemia in older fowls. 
It is differentiated from bacillary white diarrhea by the fact that 
deaths from the latter occur principally within the first three weeks 
of life, while coccidiosis usually appears at a later period. As- 
pergillosis cecurs more rarely and is generally restricted to a rela- 
tively small number of the flock. It is easily differentiated from 
coccidiosis on post-mortem examination by the localization of its 
lesions in the air passages, especially in the air sacs of the abdomen. 
Tuberculosis is readily distinguished by its characteristic nodular 
formations in the liver and intestines, or by microscopic examina- 
tion. In infectious leukemia, the liver is enlarged and usually 
studded with small necrotic spots while the ceca are free of masses 
of caseated material. 
Treatment. Attempts at treatment have not given very satis- 
factory results owing to the highly resistant powers of the organism 
during certain stages of its life cycle and to the position which it 
occupies in the intestinal membranes. Crude catechu, recommended 
by Fantham, has, in our experience, proved more effective than other 
preparations which have been recommended. The most convenient 
method of administration is by means of the drinking water. The 
lumps should be broken up by grinding or pounding into a coarse 
powder and added to the water in the proportion of 7% teaspoonful 
to each gallon of water. This solution is to be kept constantly avail- 
able to the flock while the disease is prevalent. Should signs of 
constipation develop, the entire flock may be given a dose of Epsom 
salts in the proportion of 44 teaspoonful to each adult fowl. The 
‘salts can be dissolved in water and mixed in a mash. The purgative 
effect is greatest if the mash is fed in the morning when the crop 
contains a minimum amount of food. It is advisable when symp- 
toms of coccidiosis are first noticed to give the flock a dose of Epsom 
salts before the crude catechu treatment is started. Where catechu 
is not available, bichloride of mercury may be substituted. It is 
given in the drinking water in the strength of 1 to 6000. Perman- 
ganate of potash 1 part in 500 parts of drinking water has also 
proved effective. 
Prevention. Once this disease has been introduced, the most sat- 
