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FAVUS IN POULTRY (Zea favosa). 
Favus is a disease produced by a minute parasitic fungus 
known scientifically as <Achorion Schonlernit (Remak). 
This fungus attacks the comb, wattles, and neck, etc., of 
birds, and causes the feathers of the latter to fall off; some- 
times one side of the neck only may be affected, becoming 
quite deplumed, whilst the other shows no signs of invasion ; 
but, as a rule, it is the comb that suffers first and most from 
the attack. 
Tinca favosa is common to man, the cat, dog, rabbit, and 
is: particularly prevalent in rats and mice. Mr. J. White 
Fox informs me that it is rarely met with, however, in human 
beings in this country. 
It is very destructive in poultry-yards, and, being highly 
contagious, often spreads with great rapidity. A single 
diseased cock soon contaminates the whole run. Several 
outbreaks that have come to my notice have been traced to 
a new male bird from an affected yard. From the number of 
enquiries I have recently received, I imagine the disease is 
on the increase in this country. 
Tie first signs of an attack of favus are small pale, 
irregular, cup-like spots on the comb or wattles, generally 
appearing on the comb first. These spots grow together, 
and sooner or later form a confluent covering of a dirty 
yellowish-grey substance, which is often arranged in con- 
centric layers. These crusts often grow to a considerable 
thickness. When present on the comb or wattles there may 
be a complete and rapid disappearance of the malady; but 
when the feathered areas become invaded it is more per- 
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