-,. COXSTIl'ATTON. 



(Constipation is tlie opposite of diarrhoea, but it is 

 fi-e(iuently produced by the same conditions. If para 

 sites obstruct tlie intestinal canal, of course notliiufi; 

 can pass and the result is constipation of a most ob- 

 stinate fc'rm. Sometimes the intestine becomes un- 

 usually dry, particularly after a biid has been afflicted 

 with diarrhoea for some time; then ils contents accum- 

 ulate in hard masses and form obstructions. These 

 obstructions of dry intestinal contents may appear at 

 any point of the canal but frequently develop close to 

 the lower opening;;, in Ihc divert icnlnm known as tlie 

 cloaca. 



Constipated birds tiive evidence of the condition by 

 uneasiness, loss of a])jietite, frequent, unsuccessful at- 

 tempts and general depression. If tlie obstruction is 

 in the lower part of the bnwcl thr licatment consists 

 in injecting small quantities of warm water by means 

 of a rubber syringe, or water in which linseed has been 

 boiled may be used for this purpose and should be pre- 

 ferred in cases where there is considerable irritation. 

 Sfweet oil or glycerine may also be injected, all of 

 which tend to soften and facilitate the removal of the 

 impacted masses. When this treatment is applied to 

 hens, great care should be exercised to prevent the in- 

 ti'oduction of the no'zzle of the syringe into the open- 

 ing of the oviduct. Sometimes it is necessary to em- 

 ploy a small blunt instrument, such as the handle of a 

 small spoon to facilitate the removal of the faecal 

 masses in this location. 



