RESPIRATORY DISEASES 145 



talis, one drop of the fluid extract to the medi- 

 cation. 



Autopsy. ^Upon opening the bird that has died 



from pennmonia, the affected part of the lung 

 will be found to be dark red, and when cut 

 through it is liver-like in appearance and texture. 

 Serum (yellowish fluid) and blood may exude 

 from the surface. 



Pneumomycosis -Aspergillosis 



This disease is due to a fungus belonging to the 

 genus aspergillus, an organism similar to the 

 common green molds. The species- that usually 

 affects the lungs of birds is the Aspergillus 

 fumigatus. 



Symptoms. — The affected birds are sluggish and 

 stay apart from the remainder of the flock; they 

 sit about on the roosts, or in some corner; are 

 very weak, and later become unable to stand. 

 There is a loss of appetite; the feathers have an 

 unkempt appearance; the wings are drooping 

 and the eyes partially closed. The respiration 

 is accelerated and there is a rattling of mucus 

 in the trachea and bronchi. Fever is present, and 

 there is ordinarily considerable thirst. The af- 

 fected bird usually dies after a prolonged illness. 



Postmortem Appearance. — Whitish or yellowish 

 nodules, varying in size up to a pea, will be noted 

 in the affected parts; which may be the trachea, 

 bronchi, lungs and the various air sacs. The 

 fungus may grow upon the surface of the mucous 

 membranes forming, at first, a feltlike whitish 

 mass which takes on color according to the spe- 

 cies of the fungus as it fruits (forms spores). 

 This membranous material, to the naked eye, re- 

 sembles a fibropurulent exudate. The obstruc- 



