34 
reason for this improvement is not forthcoming from 
the laboratory standpoint. The improved hygienic 
conditions of the monkey house is an undoubted factor. 
Mycotic Esophagitis in Mississippi Kites {Ictinia 
Mississippiensis) . 
On July 27th four of these birds were received, ap- 
parently in fair condition, although not very fat and 
somewhat frightened. They remained in good condi- 
tion until some time early in September when one was 
found drooping and refused to eat. Two others soon 
had the same signs and the three died on September 
17th, 19th and 25th. The fourth remained in good 
condition until the first of November. It was kept at 
the laboratory for some time before it died and while 
there seemed in good condition. It died suddenly 
without any unusual signs. All these birds suffered 
from an infiltrative, caseous and necrotizing condition 
of the esophageal mucous membrane, apparently be- 
ginning high in the tube and stopping at the upper 
margin of the proventricle in two and at the gizzard in 
one. The infection must have begun upon the mucous 
surface because the lesions w^ere superficial and never 
became generalized. The larger lesions of the gullet 
were fungoid, soft and friable. The attack upon the 
wall of the tube consisted of inflammatory lesions with 
penetrating of mould. From the last case I was able 
to isolate a Hyphomyces or mould belonging to the 
genus Oidium and almost identical with the Oidium 
albicans, the cause of human Thrush. The morphology 
is practically identical, but the growth upon media 
differs slightly from this human parasite. The varia- 
tion may possibly be explained by the high temperature 
to which it was subjected in the bird's body. The lesions 
are more extensive and necrotizing than those of thrush, 
but generalized infections in the human being are known. 
Infection of fowls with this mould is well known but the 
lesions are seldom so extensive and necrotic. It seems 
that we had here a limited but severe thrush epidemic. 
