86 



POULTRY DISEASES 



microscopic in size, which is found in the diseased 

 areas in the ceca (blind pouches) and liver of af- 

 fected birds, which are chiefly turkeys and rarely 

 chickens. Others attribute the disease to a coc- 

 cidium. 



Mode of Spread. — As will be seen later, the pro- 

 tozoon escapes from ulcers in the ceca and passes 



out with the fees. 



Food or water con- 

 taminated with the 

 excrements carry 

 the disease germ 

 to other birds. 

 Chronic cases (car- 

 riers) in older 

 turkeys or chick- 

 ens may keep the 

 premises infected 

 for a long time. 

 These germs en- 

 tering the liver 

 and the mucous 

 membrane lining 

 the ceca, cause in- 

 flammation and de- 

 generation. Usu- 

 ally the ceca be- 

 come infected first 

 and later the liver is invaded and inflammation of 

 its structure ensues. 



Postmortem Findings. — Upon first opening the abdominal 

 cavity one's attention is attracted by the enlarged liver with 

 areas of dead tissue (caseation necrosis). Fig. 27 shows a 

 liver about three-fourths natural size, weighing nearly one 

 pound. 



The ceca (blind pouches; see Plate I, No. 12), one or both, 

 are noted to be enlarged, the enlargement is usually a short 

 distance from the point. Upon opening the ceca, ulcers and 

 areas of dead tissue (caseation necrosis) are observed in' 



Fig. 27. Enterohepatitis in a Turkey 



A, Yeliowish-white necrotic areas. This 



liver weighed 452 grams, nearly 



one pound. 



