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LIVER DISEASE (TUBERCULOSIS) OF POULTRY. 



Liver disease, which is the name usually given to tuberculosis 

 in birds, is one of the most common diseases of fowls, turkeys, 

 pheasants, partridges, grouse, pigeons, and other birds. Dr. J. 

 Bland Sutton found this disease to be a common cause of death 

 amongst the birds at the Zoological Gardens, and, as the result 

 of an examination of more than a thousand birds of various 

 species, he was able to say : " The birds which are almost 

 exclusively affected by this disease are those which live on seeds, 

 grain (meaning by grain, barley, maize, oats), and fruit. I have 

 only twice observed it in flesh-eaters. Those which live on fish 

 are exempt from it.'' 



It is, without exception, the most common cause of loss to 

 poultry owners in most parts of England and Scotland, and I 

 have recently learned from a correspondent that it prevails all 

 over Ireland. 



It is evidently just as common on the Continent ; it is well 

 known likewise in the United States and in Canada, though in 

 the latter country the nature of the disease does not appear to. 

 be understood. Reports show that it occurs in Queensland 

 The disease, therefore, may be said to be world-wide in its 

 distribution. 



Symptoms. 



In very many places the disease claims a victim with 

 pertinacious regularity, but towards the end of the year and 

 during the winter the death-rate often becomes alarming. The 

 affected fowls become thin and emaciated, losing greatly in 

 strength and weight, and they frequently also are more or less 

 crippled. The appetite is impaired, they are usually off their 

 food or feed in an erratic manner, and diarrhoea is usually 



