142 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
Control of spirochetosis. The relation of fowl ticks to the 
spread of the disease is so direct, that the destruction of ticks is of 
necessity the first measure to be employed in combating the disease. 
See p. 223. Fowls not infested with ticks, but liable to become 
so, might be immunized with Aragio’s vaccine. Susceptible birds 
before introduction into tick infected localities might be so im- 
munized. 
RARE INFECTIOUS DISEASES 
RABIES 
Several writers report the occurrence of rabies among fowls. Af- 
fected birds show restlessness and great fright. The feathers are 
ruffled and the bird attacks its fellows, other domestic animals and 
even man. 
Autopsy findings reveal no marked lesions. Injuries of the skin, 
foreign bodies in the gizzard together with congestion of the kidneys 
and intestines are conditions most frequently found. 
The prophylactic measures indicated are isolation of birds during 
outbreaks of rabies with slaughter of infected birds. 
Intracranial inoculation of fowls with rabies virus causes paraly- 
sis of the feet and neck, associated with uncertain gait. 
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE 
The cecurrence of foot and mouth disease has been observed in 
fowls, waterfowl and pigeons but a few times. The lesions have 
been reported as occurring on the skin of the head, on the buccal 
mucous membrane and about the feet. 
Ehrhardt states that this disease is very rarely transmitted to 
fowls from cloven hoofed animals, for birds show a very high re- 
sistance to both natural and artificial infection. The disease is man- 
ifested by the occurrence of vesicles on the appendages of the head, 
on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat as well as on the 
feet. In waterfowl the lesions appear mostly on the webs of the 
toes, and on the mucosa of the mouth and throat. In most cases the 
course of the disease is favorable and the lesions heal spontaneously 
in from eight to fourteen days without treatment. As a result of 
the cessation of eating, the affected birds appear weak and cease 
laying. In severe cases lameness and. fever are observed followed 
by decline and death. 
