Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26

not the vague, mysterious malady one would
be led to infer from all accounts.
1t is, however, rare disease of infrequent
occurrence which the officials of the Public
Health Service are taking their usual ener-
getic steps to limit and at the same time study
in way that will develop more information in
the light of preSent-day medical knowledge as
to how best to combat it.
What is parrot fever? Is it contagious
amongst humans or must one come into direct
contact with the bird? Is the infection lin
tied only to parrots. or are canaries and other
such pets subject to it? If you have a parrot,
what symptoms should you watch for?" These
and dozen other questions were put to on
Gals of the Public Health Service and Biologi-
cal Survey in an endeavor to find out some
thing about the illness, and the following para
graphs present the outstanding points of what
they had to say in order to give the facts
they exist and at the same time alleviate any
exaggerated fears on the subject
TN the first place, while it is true that enough
cases have been reported to warrant serious
consideration, when considers that in a
nation of more than 12O00Oo0O people the
total number of cases, including deaths, is
under 100, there is no indication of an cpl
denic or widespread malady which science
is powerless to combat Neither is it necessary
for everybody having parrots to become
alarmed, and if the pet has been in the family
over month you need have no fear provided
which may have been infected. 1t is only the
newly acquired bird which should be regarded
with suspicion and watched for unusual symp-
TOMS
In the second place. the disease is not un-
known. In a volume entitled Manual of
Tropical Medicine by CaStellani 81 Chalmers,
there is a full and concise exposition of the
malady, showing that it was recognized and
known in Germany as far back as 1879, and
that subsequently there have been periodic out
breaks in many countries, but all of them lin
tied in character and lending themselves read
lily TO prompt preventive measures.
At the risk of repeating some of that which
has already been published on the subject but
in order to present complete story here,
quote the following definition of parrot fever"
or psittacosis parenteric, as given in the above
mentioned volume:
"A very fatal specific epizootic among
parrots, which is capable of spreading
to man and causing febrile condition
resembling typhoid fever in its charac-
teristicS, and which is very liable to be
complicated with severe pneumonia.
Very rarely the disease spreads from
man to man. The incubation period
varies from to IL days, after which
the disease may begin suddenly with a
chill, but more usually commences in
sidiously, like typhoid fever, with head
ache, malaise and a rise of temperature
and increased pulse rate, quickened
respiration, cough and muco- purulent
expectoration. The tongue is dry or
furred, and either diarrhea or constipa-
ton may be present. Rose-colored spots
appear on the skin and the patient be-
comes dull and stupid in which condi-
ton he may remain for several days. and
as a rule will recover in from Is to 20
days If no pneumonia complication inter-
venes. If, however, pneumonia sets in
the patient becomes much worse and
may die.
1.-The prognosis is grave in old people
the mortality being about 35 to 40 Der
cent Treatment is usually conducted
along the lines laid down for typhoid
fever and pneumonia"
From the foregoing 1t is seen that SO far as
is known the disease is rarely communicable
from person to person, but the older one is the
tracted
Iowever, it is pointed out by the officials
interviewed, while it is always well to face the
facts and take all necessary precautions there
is no reason for undue alarm in the present
instance. Neither should all parrots or other
pets be damned because of few cases of ILL
ness and be made martyrs unnecessarily in
the cause of mass hysteria" created over
an exaggerated sense of possible spread of the
maIady
1t is not yet definitely known whether par
rot fever is limited only to parrots or whether
it is possible in canaries and other feathered
pets, although all indications point to the fact
that parrots are the only birds so afflicted
AS there are several hundred different varieties
OF parrots it is also a question as to whether
all parrots are subject to it or only certain
species, and this is one of the points now
being studied
WHAT symptoms should you hook for if you
have recently acquired parrot and are
suspicious of its state of health?
In general way it may be said that loss
OF appetite, ruff1ed feathers droonino wings