Important Poultry Diseases

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918. Excerpt: ... BIRD POX (CHICKEN POX). Bird pox is a condition characterized by an eruption of nodules varying from the size of a millet seed to that of a pea, which occurs on the comb, wattles, ear lobes, and less frequently on the skin of other parts of the body. It is more frequent and more malignant in warm than in cold climates, but occurs in most parts of the world. Recent investigations make it probable that it is caused by a filter able virus which is identical with that of diphtheria. As the symptoms of the two conditions are generally quite distinct, they are here described separately. (Fig. S.) Causation.--Bird pox, so far as known, does not originate in any other way than by contagion. It seems to be produced by virus from fowls or pigeons affected with either the eruption of bird pox or the false membranes of diphtheria. Experiments have shown that both pox and diphtheria are easily transmitted from fowl to fowl and from pigeon to fowl, but the transmission of pox from fowl to pigeon has proved very difficult and that of diphtheria impossible. The contagion is believed to exist in the blood as well us in the nodules which appear upon the skin. The disease is generally introduced by new birds which are put into the flock or by exhibition birds which return infected. Probably it is often brought by pigeons, sparrows, and other birds which fly from one yard to another. The inoculation of the comb and wattles appears to occur by rubbing these parts with the infected feet or by being injured by the infected beaks of other birds. The virus is quite resistant and requires thorough disinfection for its eradication. Symptoms.--The eruption appears as round, oblong, or irregularly shaped nodules from the size of a piuhead to that of a pea or a hazelnut. They are seen...