248 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
The acute form is much more common and because of its slower 
development is much better defined. First there is depression, 
ruffling of the feathers, diarrhea, elevation of the rectal temperature 
and loss of appetite all of which are common to serious diseases. 
This pericd of development more or less accentuated has a somewhat 
irregular duration. Sometimes it precedes the local symptoms by 
several days, at other times it is hardly appreciable. Walking be- 
comes difficult and painful. There is lameness in one or both legs. 
The patient lags behind its fellows, sits on the ground and assumes 
the upright position with difficulty. At this stage the important 
joints, especially the tibio metatarsal joints, singly or together are 
the site of precise pathological manifestations. They are enlarged, 
doughy, very painful and execute very limited movements. Some- 
times they are completely immobilized. The temperature reaches 
36° to 88° CO. when under normal conditions it would be 30° or 
84° C, 
Incapable of moving, the geese remain in the sternal position for 
entire days with the feet underneath them or extended behind or even 
sideways. The wings droop, the bird is depressed, holds the beak 
down and eats with pain. Sometimes one which is less ill attempts 
to flee when approached. With neck stretched out, with beak 
opened, and whistling it flaps the wings and drags itself along for 
several steps before stopping exhausted. 
In such a condition, two terminations are possible. There may 
be increase of depression, diarrhea and pallor of the mucous mem- 
branes. The cutaneous parasites become more numerous, the 
emaciation and cachexia increase and death follows after one, two 
or three weeks. On the other hand, the general symptoms diminish 
in intensity, the appetite returns, the movements become easier and 
recovery occurs after a variable time. 
Complete recovery is rare. The affected joints never return to 
their normal size nor their former mobility: Ankyloses, thick- 
enings and irregularities of the joints interfere with movement. 
Morbid anatomy. The carcass is greatly emaciated. The 
mucosa of the beginning and end portions of the intestine is greatly 
swollen and diffusely reddened or slate gray in color. The abundant 
contents of the intestines are viscid and possess a reddish gray color. 
The intestinal inflammation is most marked in the pure acute type 
in which case, dark red petechie occur in the mucosa. The spleen 
is hypertrophied and the liver is always enlarged. 
The affected joints are more or less swollen and filled with either 
