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Prosthogonimus indicus in Indian Fowls
in the tissues of the diseased oviduct. The former author found large numbers
of eosinophiles also but Seifried [1923] and Macy [1934] report the presence
of relatively few eosinophiles.
The diagnosis of the disease is usually difficult on account of its obscure
symptoms, specially in the initial stages. The earlier symptoms, laying of
soft-shelled eggs and decrease in egg production, are likely to be attributed
to disturbances of the oviduct arising from nutritional irregularities. A
positive diagnosis is possible only by the finding of mature parasite or its eggs
in the faeces or in the eggs of the suspected bird. It is, however, not always
possible to determine the infestation by faecal examination. Seifried [1923],
Macy [1934], and others have reported their inability to find eggs in the faeces
of infested birds, specially when the infestation was not very heavy, but enough
to cause trouble. In the absence of a constant passage of bulky material
through the oviduct, the eggs are probably discharged only periodically.
In the absence of a positive diagnosis, the following symptoms, when taken
collectively, are strongly suggestive of prosthogonimiasis. Inactivity of the
bird, sharp decline in egg-production, laying of soft-shelled eggs, presence of
chalky-white crust on the feathers around cloacal region, distension of the
abdomen in the cloacal region and bluish-red colour of the skin of the abdo-
men (advanced cases), presence of hard, cream-coloured chrunks of abortive
egg-white and yolk in the oviduct and abdominal cavity and the distended
oviduct filled with fibrinated pus and abdominal cavity with pus-exudate,
parasites, eggs, lesions and peritonitis.
The worms in the oviduct can not be removed by any method of treat-
ment. In the early stages, while the parasites are still in the intestine, it may
be possible to remove them and thus prevent their entry into the oviduct.
Bunyea, Hall and Cram [1933], have reported successful results in the treat-
ment of prosthogonimiasis with carbon tetrachloride when given in repeated
doses of 1 . 5 to 1 . 7 c.c. in liquid cereal. On account of its toxicity the drug
should be used with care.
The occurrence of the parasite in migratory birds and the lack of marked
host specificity and the migratory nature of its second intermediate host
render the problem of prevention extremely difficult. The author understands
from Dr. Mehra of the Allahabad University that the Indian snipes are com-
monly infested with members of the genus Prosthogonimus. Though the life-
history of the Indian species has not yet been worked out, from a comparative
study of the life-histories of other species of the genus, it is highly probable
that the infestation of poultry with this parasite in this country, as elsewhere,
takes place through the young and the adult of dragonflies. The only pos-
sible method of preventing the infestation is by keeping poultry fenced away
from permanent ponds and lakes. Adult dragonflies are easily caught by poul-
try on damp mornings and hence the birds should not be let loose in the
mornings until the dragonflies are out of the weeds.
The author is deeply grateful to the Director and the Pathologist for their
kind encouragement and help.