F
University of Kentucky———C0lIege 0f Agriculture
EXTENSION DIVISION
THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean- and Director
Circular No. 244 May, 1931
Published in connection with the agrieultural extension work carried
on by cooperation of the College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky,
with the L'. S. Department of Agriculture, and distributed in furthe1·;u1·~e
of the work provided for in the Act of Congress of May S, 1914.
 
CHICKEN POX
By F. E. HULL
Chicken pox (fowl pox) is an infectious disease character-
. ized by the formation of nodules, scabs, or ulcer-like sores,
principally on the unfeathered parts of the fowl. ln some cases
the lesions are found on the mucous membranes of the eyes,
nostrils, mouth, throat, and windpipe and are characterized by
the formation of a cheesy exudate. These conditions are com-
monly spoken of as canker, and avian diphtheria. \Vhen
lesions predominate in the eye, nostril, mouth, throat, and wind—
pipe a careful examination of a number of birds usually re- I
reals the presence of skin lesions. Since these conditions are
simply different manifestations of the same disease, they are
treated as chicken pox.
('ausc. A filterable virus has been shown to be the cause
of chicken pox. The virus is found in the nodules and cheesy
exndate and is quite resistant to drying and disinfectants. This;
disease is not caused by any agent except the virus.
_ Symptoms. Nodules appear on the comb, wattles, and other  
unfeathcred parts. Feathered parts, also, may be affected.
(`heesy patches are found in the eyes, nostrils, sinuses, mouth,.
throat, and windpipe. The nodules may he small or the condi-»
tion may become generalized and involve large areas. Accumu--
lation of material in the nostrils, sinuses, mouth or windpipe
causes difheult breathing, and 1nay result in suffocation. 1
In the mild forms of chicken pox the general appearance of
A the bird remains unchanged, the appetite is good, there may be