DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 37 



Symptoms are hard, dry droppings; the feathers 

 about the anus may be matted, this, however, is us- 

 ually the result of previous diarrhoea; there are fre- 

 quent but ineffectual attempts to evacuate the bowels; 

 the fowl v/ill become dull, will stand with back arched, 

 walk sluggishly and vrith drooped head; the hard mass 



or distended bowel may often be felt through the ab- 

 dominal walls. 



Treatment: In mild cases, laxatives, such as one 

 or two teaspoonfuls of castor oil or ten to thirty 

 grains of Epsom salts in a spoonful of warm water 

 given occasionally is all that is necessary. In obsti- 

 nate cases or where the bowel is obstructed mechanical 

 means must be connected with the above treatment. 

 In such cases the feathers must be clipped off, if any 

 are matted about the anus. This is often best done 

 by soaking the parts a while in warm water; then ol- 

 ive oil or warm soapy water should be injected into 

 the cloaca with a small syringe, and in an hour the hard 

 mass should ba carefully manipulated and removed 

 with the finger or some blunt instrumant, such as the 

 end of a teaspoon handle. If there should be a broken 

 egg, treat accordingly. 



The food should be soft and sloppy and green food 

 should be provided; for this onions are especially valu- 

 able. 



CONGESTION OF THE lilVER. 



Congestion of the liver is an abnormal filling up 

 with blood in this organ. 



