The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-09
ausnt dlsease with birds. but The point

which has not been made clear Is whether
the disease can be transmitted from the
feathered tribe to the human race. Now,
however, Prof. EocARD OF Abort, France
one OF tho most distinguished veterinary
surgeons in the world, claims to have sue
coeded In transforming the human bacillus
into the avian. or bird, bacillus, and fur
thor contends that the two bacllli, 40 diff
ferent In appearance, are really only two
varieties OF the same species II subse-
quent experiments substantiate this theory,
the fact may DO taken for granted that
birds suffering from consumption are
source Of danger to man.
A few years ago, in 1891 or 1892, about
fifty persons in Paris were attacked by in
fective pneumonia, the origin Of which was
distinctly traced to parrots. In 1897 an
epidemic OF the same disease broke out In
Genoa, to which fourteen persons fell vie
Tins, and In these cases also tho affection
was brought home by the Municipal Board
OF Hygiene to parrots kept as domestic
pets. Florence, a short time previously,
had suffered from similar outbreak as
cribod to the same cause, and tho Genocse
Town Council issued a circular prohibiting
In 1903 in provincial town Of Italy there
was serious epidemic Of infective pneu-
monia. which resulted in several deaths.
Upon an investigation Of the matter the
discovery was made that two parrots under
the Same roof had recently died OF this
lung affection. Indeed, psittacosis, tho
formidable name by which the infectious
disease OF parrots Ia known to medical men,,
has been observed on various occasions to
cause serious and fatal pneumonia trans
mitted from these birds to men,
In the opinion Of some authorities, how
ever, parrots are not tho only Gagged birds
which, when in diseased state, are dau-
gerous to tho health OF those about them.
A charge OF like nature has just been
brought against tho most common and
most popular Of all the home singing birds.
To tho London Lancet of recent date DIR.
TUCKER WISE contributes an article in
which he inveighs against the habit OF
keeping Gagged birds generally, and canares
In particular, in rooms where people live
and cat. He expresses himself on this
point thus: "As there is usually a high
rate Of mortality among Gagged birds, and
especially when kept together in large
numbers, and consumption being very fire.
quent with them, the birds which become
affected can doubtless spread bacilll during
the course Of tho disease. 1t seems, there
fore, probable that a person living in tho
house and inhaling the contaminated air
runs certain risk OF breathing in and be-
coming infected by the disease germs"
1t Is pointed out also that the practice OF
allowing cage birds to place their heaks in
contact with the lips Is risky and dangerous,
as bacilli can be transmitted in this way IL
the bird Ia not healthy Flies, too, will
convey fifth and with it the germs ofdiscaso
from the cage TO human food, or the dust of
dried mucus may pollute the air OF any
room in which birds are kept.
Undoubtedly the danger Of infection to
be dreaded from Gagged birds may he cxng-
geratcd, for it seems reasonable to presume
that II tho birds are healthy and kept under
sanitary conditions and are not kissed or
otherwise brought into close contact with
their owners they cannot be very serious
factor in the spread of tuberculosis. yet, on
the other hand, II the birds ara unhealthy
and these precautions are not taken there
would appear to be little reason to doubt
that infection may be conveyed by their
agency. Tho whole subject acquires a
special significance in view OF the growing
conviction that mankind runs far more
risks to health and life from contact with
the lower animals than was suspected.