226 POULTRY CULTURE 



about 5 to 6 inches from the anus or external opening. The 

 free extremity is provided with a bhnd sack. 



The protozoa entering the epithelial cells lining these blind 

 pouches begin to multiply, and ulceration, by destruction of the 

 cells one by one, is the result. A turkey dead of the disease, 

 upon being "opened up" and examined will usually be noted 

 to have only one cecum affected. The chronic inflammation 

 surrounding the ulcerated portion is quite apparent from the 

 appearance of the external wall. 



Later the hver becomes invaded by these germs. Upon 

 entering the Uver they cause a destruction of the ceUs one by 

 one and necrotic or dead areas result. This process is slow, 

 and first a few cells become overcome by the germs and their 

 products and finally die. The germs continue to multiply and 

 invade new surrounding tissue, until finally these areas of 

 dead liver tissue may measure an inch or even more in 

 diameter. 



When the abdominal cavity of the turkey dead of the dis- 

 ease is opened, the liver, which occupies the lower and ante- 

 rior portion of the abdominal cavity, will be noted to be 

 affected by many areas of disease (necrotic or dead tissue), 

 which, as a rule, is whitish yellow in color and usually rather 

 round in shape. 



As stated before, blackhead or enterohepatitis is more com- 

 mon in turkeys between the ages of one month and one year. 



The symptoms are not manifested or noticeable till the dis- 

 ease has progressed for some length of time. The bird will 

 first be noted to be dull, later the wings and tail appear droopy, 

 the feathers become ruffled, and the bird sits around consider- 

 ably. Later, the feathers appear ruffled and present an un- 

 kempt appearance. 



Diarrhea is noted, the discharge being of a yellowish-green 

 color. The discharge from the bowel contains myriads of the 

 germs of the disease. It is possible that the germs may be 

 carried on the feet of animals or birds and even man, and infect 

 new premises, much as hog-cholera is often Spread. As a rule, 

 the animal germs, of which this is one, do not live as long out- 

 side of the body as the vegetable germs, such, for example, as 

 blackleg in calves or chicken-cholera in birds. 



