CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 233 



Upon examining a bird after it is dead various organs of the 

 body may be found to be affected. 



If the liver be afflicted it will be studded with yellowish or 

 whitish-yellow or grayish nodules, varying from the size of a 

 millet seed to a hazelnut. The spleen may be involved, pre- 

 senting a similar appearance to that of the liver. The serous 

 or shining membrane lining the abdominal cavity may be 

 studded with these nodules of more or less size. The older 

 nodules when cut through, after being removed, appear some- 

 what gritty, due to a deposit of lime-salts. 



Birds afflicted with tuberculosis become emaciated, the 

 comb appears pale, the bird appears dull and sleepy with no 

 interest in life, and later dies. The bones may become tuber- 

 cular, and when the joints become affected the birds may be- 

 come lame. 



CHICKEN-POX 



Chicken-pox, or sore head, as it is often called, is a conta- 

 gious disease affecting the comb and face. 



Birds become infected in a similar manner as in other con- 

 tagious diseases that have been discussed before. 



Fall, winter, and spring bring about climatic conditions 

 favorable to the development of the disease, hence it is more 

 prevalent at these seasons of the year. There appears to be 

 some relation between this disease and roup, as both occur in 

 the same flock. 



Symptoms. — ^The first symptoms noted will be a small 

 nodule on the comb or face, which appears first as a 

 so-called pimple. This gradually becomes larger. Later 

 the top sloughs off and the part becomes sore or ulcerated. 



Treatment. — 'Birds sick of chicken-pox should be given a 

 tablespoonful of castor oil. If the nodule is very small, it 

 may be treated by taking a tooth-pick dipped in pui'e carbolic 

 acid and lightly touching the top of the nodule, using care lest 

 the acid runs down onto the surrounding parts and injures that 

 part. After twenty-four hours apply a small quantity of car- 

 bolized vaselin. The sores may be touched with iodin or with 

 kerosene. 



