The Effect of Iritis of Breeding Hens on Their Progeny

THE disease now known as lymphomatosis and its connection with a contracted, non-responsive pupil and discolored iris (iritis) were early mentioned by Kaupp (1921), Doyle (1926), and Pappenheimer et al (1926). Considerable research work has been reported on the etiology of the disease during the past few years, and theories on the method of its dissemination have been advanced. Doyle (1928) believed the disease to be infectious and also believed it quite probable that paralysis may be transmitted from parent to offspring in much the same way as Pullorum disease. The latter conclusion was advanced after studying the offspring from 30 pullets obtained from a flock where heavy loss from paralysis occurred. A high incidence of the disease was present in the offspring and no paralysis or iritis developed in the controls. Gildow, Williams, and Lampman (1936) found that paralysis was transmitted to chicks by pen contact and that the . . .