CATARRHAL STOMATITLS OF BIRDS. PIP. 



Causes : hurried breathing ; local irritants ; exposure ; filthy roost. 

 Symptoms : gaping ; roupy cr}- ; epithelial pellicle on tongue, larnyx. or 

 angle of the bill. Treatment : pick off pellicle ; smear it often with glycer- 

 ized antiseptic. Remove accessory and exciting causes, 



This form of inflammation of the tongue of birds is characterized 

 by the increa.sed production and desiccation of the epithelium so 

 that it takes on a horny appearance. According toCadeac it may 

 accompany various inflammatory affections of the air passages, 

 which cause hurried breathing with persistently open bill, and 

 thus entail evaporation of the moisture. More commonly it has 

 its primary cause in local inflammation of the surface in connec- 

 tion with damp, cold, draughty hen-roosts, and above all, the 

 accumulation of decomposing manure and the exhalation of im- 

 pure gas. Even in such cases the abnormal breathing with the 

 bill open is an accessor}' cau.se of the affection. 



Symptovis. The breathing with open bill should lead to ex- 

 amination of the tongue, but above all if at intervals the bird 

 with a sudden jerk of the head emits a loud shrill, raucous 

 .sound, which reminds one of the cough of croup. The tij) and 

 sides of the tongtie are found to be the seat oi a hard, dry, and 

 clo.sely adherent epithelial pellicle, which suggests a false 

 membrane. 



Treatment. The common recourse is to pick or scrape off the 

 indurated epithelial mass, leaving a raw, bleeding surface expo.sed. 

 This is then treated with a solution of borax, or chlorate of 

 potash. Cadeac deprecates this treatment as useless and danger- 

 ous, and advises the disintegration of the dry epithelial mass 

 with a needle taking care not to prick nor .scratch the subjacent 

 sensitive tissue, and to wash with a 5 per cent, .solution of clilorate 

 of potash. A still more humane and effective method is to make 

 a solution of hj^po.sulphite of soda in glycerine and brush over 

 the affected stirface at frequent intervals. This ma}- be con- 

 veniently applied through the drinking water. 



In case of implication of the lower air passages or lungs, the 

 treatment must be directed to them, and .soft, warm, sloppy food 

 and the inhalation of water vapor will prove of great advantage. 

 Secure clean, sweet, dr}^ pens, pure air, and sunshine. (See 

 pseudo membranous enteritis. ) 

 iS 



