The effect of enterotoxin of Clostridium welchii (perfringens) type A on fowls

Lethal doses of enterotoxin of Clostridium welchii (perfringens) type A injected intravenously into young fowls caused immediate lassitude, with partial recovery, followed by death seven to 35 h after inoculation. Lesions found were ascites, hydropericardium, oedema of the muscles, hepatic congestion, urate deposits on the peritoneum and the pericardium, and intestinal hyperaemia. Sublethal doses produced no clinical signs or lesion. The LD50 of this enterotoxin was 74-84 mug/kg of body weight.