C.—SHORT NOTE
ON A CASE
OF
SYNGAMUS LARYNGIS IN A HILL BULL.
Numerous references are to be found with regard to the presence of Syngamosis in
different species of the feathered tribe, but I have not been able to come across any notice
as to the presence of these parasites in Bovines.
This may perhaps be due to the fact that works of reference in this country are some-
what few in number and can only be consulted in the large city libraries. As, however,
neither Neumann, Cobbold nor Railliet make mention in their standard works of the
occurrence of these Sclerostomines in cattle, I take the opportunity of placing a case on
record.
Before noting my own observations as to the presence of Syngamus in the laryux of
the bull, it will be of interest to note the most important points recorded by previous
observers with regard to these parasites in birds.
In 1799, Dr. Wiesenthal published an account of a parasite infesting the trachea
of fowls and turkeys in America. He says " there is a disease prevalent among the galli-
naceous poultry in this country called the gapes which destroys eight-tenths of our fowls in
many parts and takes place in the greatest degree among the young turkeys and chickens, bred
upon old established farms. Chicks and poults, in a few days after they are hatched, are
found frequently to open their mouths wide and gasp for breath, at the same time fre-
quently sneezing and attempting to swallow. At first the affection is slight, but gradually
becomes more and more oppressive, and it ultimately destroys. Very few recover ; they
languish, grow dispirited, drop and die. It is generally known that these symptoms are
occasioned by worms in the trachea. I have seen the whole (windpipe) completely filled
with these worms, and have been astonished at the animals being capable of respiration under
such circumstances. "
This worm—which is known to pheasant keepers as the red worm or forked worm lives in
the trachea and large bronchei of a large number of the domesticated birds—common,
pheasant, golden pheasant, fowl, turkey, peacock ; and of wild birds—gray partridge,
magpie, hooded crow, chocard of the alps, green woodpecker, sparrow, and martin. It is
most frequent in the Gallinea, and especially pheasants.
The disease has been many times observed in America, England, France and Germany.
The symptons most frequently notice in birds, caused by the Syngamus trachealis, are, accord-
ing to Meguin, " a kind of sudden, whistling cough, something like a sneeze which more or
less affects young individuals. Those most seriously affected yawn and open their beak ; at
the same time stretching the neck by a peculiar movement, indicative of the inconvenince they
experience. The worst cases have the mouth filled with foamy saliva, which they cannot get
rid of."
According to neumann " the Nematodes which live in the air passages of poultry, and
give rise to symptoms of tracheo-bronchitis, almost exclusively belong to the genus Syngamus
family of Strongylidœ, tribe of Selezostominœ—a genus in which, species are not numerous,
and which infests the trachea and bronchi of Birds and Mammals."
Genus Syngamus (Siebold).—Head thick ; mouth large, and succeeded by a chitinou
capsule that keeps it open. Males relatively small, and provided with two spiculæ. Females
furnished with a double ovary ; vulva situated in the anterior part of the body. Copulation
which is permanent in the principal species—δύu, γaµos, marriage—is effected at an acute
angle, and in such a manner that two individuals so united might be taken for a worm with
two heads.
Two species have been described in domesticated birds.
1. Syngamus trachealis (Sicbold, s. primitious Molin).—" A cylindroid worm, coloured red
by the fluid between the organs. Head broad and truncated. Mouth orbicular and sustained by
a hemispherical capsule, at the bottom of which are six or seven sharp, lanceolated, chitinous
emmences arranged around the œsophageal opening, the margin of which is thick and everted,
and cut into six festoons divided symmetrically into four lips. Male 2 mm. to 6 mm. long;
candal pouch obliquely truncated, suspended by about twelve ribs and attached around the
vulva. Female 5 mm. to 20 mm., thin in front, irregularly dilated when it is full of eggs;
vulva salient towards the anterior fourth or fifth of the body. Ova ellipsoid, operculated,