fowl pox

noun

: either of two forms of a disease occurring worldwide especially in chickens and turkeys that is caused by a poxvirus (species Fowlpox virus of the genus Avipoxvirus) transmitted by contact or by insect vectors:

a

: a cutaneous form marked by proliferating lesions especially on skin lacking feathers that progress to pustules, warty growths, and scabs

called also sorehead

b

: a more serious diphtheritic form occurring as cheesy lesions of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and eyes that sometimes coalesce into a false membrane