Aspergillosis of the Air Passages in Birds and Mammals. 51 



Asp. Nigrescens (blackening). This resembles the fumiga- 

 tus in color and general aspect, and the sterigmata individually 

 divide into three to eight branches, each bearing a brown or 

 brownish violet conidium. 



Asp. Glaucus (sea green). In this species the filaments are 

 partitioned at long intervals, the sterigmata are greenish-blue, 

 yellow or brown, and the round or oval conidia grayish green. 



Asp. Candidvis (transparent). In this species the sterigmata 

 are colorless and transparent, the capitulum is cut off short, and 

 the conidia colorless or in masses snowy white. 



Accessory Causes. General! has found the more highly 

 bred and delicate birds to contract this disease the most readily. 

 This is in part to be attributed to the fact that such birds are too 

 often kept in confined houses and yards to prevent contamination 

 by cro.ssing with inferior breeds, and in these the spores become 

 concentrated and mingle with their food and water, as well as 

 with the air they breathe. In establishments in which the birds 

 are subjected to forced feeding (cramming) by means of a tube, 

 this latter becomes a ready means of transfer from bird to bird. 

 In a number of cases the attendant who fed the birds, by forcing 

 the food from his own mouth through the tube into the stomach 

 of the fowl has contracted the malady in this way. Damp, dark, 

 close and unclean buildings favor the propagation and preserva- 

 tion of these as of other fungi and must be reckoned among the 

 causes. 



Symptoms in Birds. The breathing becomes hurried, 

 wheezing or croup}', and loudest in expiration. A catarrh sets in 

 with spores and filaments in the expectorations. The dyspnoea 

 becomes more and more intense and suffocation is threatened. 

 The bird mopes alone, is drowsy, weak and usually resting on its 

 .sternum. When driven a few yards its legs fail and it drops on 

 its breast. The head sinks between the wings, the eyes close, 

 the feathers ruffle, and wings and tail drop. Appetite may be 

 impaired or lo.st, but thirst is inten.se. The temperature rises 

 above the normal, and diarrhoea and emaciation set in and ad- 

 vance rapidly. When the fungus is confined to the air sacs a 

 progressive emaciation may be the sole indication of illness. 

 Death may occur in from one to eight weeks from asphyxia or 

 marasmus. 



