Avian inquests.



17



AVIAN INQUESTS :


REPORT OF THE SOCIETY’S PATHOLOGIST.


Although not as a rule entering into the intricacies of avi-

cultural routine, Comparative Anatomy and Pathology nevertheless

claim their due place in our many-sided, fascinating science. The

Editor has received a Report on the post-mortem examinations

now or lately conducted by our Pathologist, Prof. Wooldridge, on

behalf of the Society, and his notes on the birds and the causes of

death make very interesting reading.


Analysis of the Report reveals considerable prevalence of

pneumonia, attributable to our variable climate, though when a bird

has been thoroughly acclimatised, as we all know, it will stand a

wonderful amount of exposure. Fatty degeneration of the organs

or actual deposit of fat also occur, want of exercise or improper

feeding being responsible for these conditions, though fatty degenera¬

tion may also be caused by sheer old age. Enteritis (inflammation

of the intestines) may be due to chill or error in diet; tubercle and

intestinal parasites, unfortunately, are only too readily brought into

our aviaries by newly-imported birds.


The classified list is as follows:


(a) General Diseases.


Shamah g. — Fatty degeneration of liver with heart failure.

Grey Parrot. — Anaemia (pneumonia also present).


Common Foivl (1).—Tuberculosis.


Common Fowl (2). —Tuberculosis.


Waxbill. — Fatty degeneration of the liver (pneumonia also

present).


(b) Diseases op the Nervous System.


Petrocincla cinchlorynchus $ . —Convulsions (heart tensely

contracted).


(c) Diseases of the Respiratory System.


Waxbill. — Pneumonia.


Canary ? . — Pneumonia.


Bullfinch $. — Pneumonia (dent in skull was found to be post¬

mortem).



