148 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
may be present on the mucous membrane, especially in the duo- 
denum. ; 
Microscopically, the blood is found to contain a greatly increased 
proportion of leucocytes to red blood cells. The normal number of 
leucocytes per cubic millimeter is approximately 30,000. This is 
increased in leukemia to from 100,000 to 500,000 per cubic milli- 
meter, while the normal number of red blood corpuscles, approxi- 
mately 3,000,000 per cubic millimeter is reduced to nearly 1,000,000 
per cubic millimeter. The normal proportion of about 1 white cell 
to 100 red cells is thus changed to 1 to 2 or 1 to 8. The mononu- 
clear leucocytes increase more rapidly than the polynuclear leuco- 
cytes, or the smaller lymphocytes. Round nucleated red blood cells 
representing normoblasts and megaloblasts are to be seen in stained 
preparations. The hemoglobin content decreases from a normal 
of 50-65° to 15-20°. The blood is pale red in color and clots with 
difficulty. The liver, spleen and kidneys are found engorged with 
leucocytes. These fill the smaller capillaries and occupy a peri- 
vascular position in the parenchyma. There is a hyperplasia of the 
cells of the bone marrow and spleen, the latter being an important 
source of the leucocytes which infiltrate the liver and kidneys. De- 
generative changes are observed in the affected organs. 
Diagnosis. The presence of the disease is indicated by the an- 
emic condition of the fowl, the enlarged liver and spleen, and the 
absence of a demonstrable microorganism in these tissues. This lat- 
ter feature distinguishes it from bacterial septicemias in which the 
liver and spleen may be swollen and congested. Microscopical ex- 
amination of the blood is of the greatest value in differentiating from 
other affections. In simple leucocytosis accompanying infectious 
diseases, the proportion of white to red blood cells while at times ap- 
proaching 1-25 is not as striking as in infectious leukemia. Also 
the absence of myelocytes is noted in the former disease. In leu- 
kemia the white cells in the blood have approximately the following 
percentage relation: Mononuclear 70 per cent, small lymphocytes 
20 per cent and eosinophiles 6 per cent. The diagnosis cf pseudo 
leukemia during life presents great difficulties. 
Treatment. As in the case of other deep seated diseases of a 
malignant type, treatment of individuals is unfortunately of question- 
able value. There is no definite method of treatment known which 
alters the course of the disease so as to bring about recovery. Potas- 
sium icdide in doses of 3 to 7 grams daily, and careful nursing to- 
gether with the administration of tonics, such as gentian, nux vomica 
