3g6 Veterinary Medicine. 



mass may be treated with solution of caustic potash, and when 

 cleared up may be placed under the microscope when the spores 

 and filaments will stand out in clear contrast with the translucent 

 tissues or debris. When growing on the surface, the free stems 

 (sterigmata) and conidia bearing heads are very characteristic. 



The injection of spores of A. fumigatus into the axillary vein 

 of a pigeon gave rise to nodular growths in the liver and lungs, 

 with death in three or four days. Injected into the lungs they 

 killed in ten to twenty days with pulmonary lesions (Dieulafoy, 

 Chantemesse and Widal). 



Causes. Infection is determined by inhalation of the spores, 

 feeding or drinking from the same dish, and notoriously by forced 

 feeding of successive birds through the same tube. Hence it is 

 especially liable to prevail in flocks that are kept in confined 

 yards, and in birds that are being forced for market. The more 

 delicate breeds of pigeons are especially liable (Generali). 



Symptoms. There is hurried breathing with open beak ac- 

 companied by a ronchus or croupy sound, and a glairy discharge 

 by the nostrils. There is anorexia, ardent thirst and elevated 

 temperature. The diseased leave the flock, drowse, mope in 

 corners, with drooping head, wings, tail and eyelids, and rufiled 

 plumage. Respiration becomes more difficult, the expiration 

 more mucous and rattling, and suffocation threatens. Emacia- 

 tion advances rapidly with marked weakness, and fetid diarrhoea 

 may set in and continue to a fatal issue in from a week to two 

 months. 



When the air sacs alone are affected emaciation may be the only 

 symptom ( going light ) . 



Prevention. Every effort must be directed toward the des- 

 truction of the aspergillus. Secure the removal of affected birds 

 and the incineration of the carcases, the absolute cleanliness of 

 the poultry house and yard, the liberal spraying of walls, roosts 

 and nests with a solution of mercuric chloride, chloride of lime or 

 cupric sulphate. Thereafter the roosts should be frequently 

 washed with the solution of bleaching powder or of cupric sul- 

 phate. As an application preliminary to the above the exposure 

 of the whole surface of the building and its contents to a jet of 

 live (transparent) steam, or a deluge of boiling water proves ex- 

 cellent. At intervals the fowls may be turned out and the house 



