92 POULTRY DISEASES 



up an inflammation of the mucous lining of the 

 small intestines, it is termed enteritis, and when it 

 extends to the large intestines it is called dysen- 

 tery. In both conditions there is an increased 

 thirst, loss of appetite, high fever and fluid dis- 

 charge, and in the latter the discharges are 

 streaked with blood. 



Cause. — Mouldy, putrid, or too stimulating food, 

 drinking water which contains much organic mat- 

 ter, and hence is filthy and putrid, and exposure 

 to certain unfavorable atmospheric conditions are 

 contributing factors, as is also the injection of 

 irritant substances, such as lye, paint, spray-mix- 

 tures, unslaked lime, etc. 



Along with diarrhea due to these causes may be 

 mentioned a like condition sometimes caused bv 

 the presence in the intestinal tract of certain spe- 

 cies of worms and of irritating foods. Exposure 

 in damp coops, cold rains, or draughts often result 

 in digestive derangements of this nature. A bird, 

 during moulting, has poor protection against in- 

 clement weather, from lack of feathers, and re- 

 quires more care than at other times. 



Symptoms. — The plumage loses its smooth, well- 

 kept appearance; the bird is depressed and not 

 inclined to move about as much as usual; there 

 may be loss of appetite ; the crop is full ; digestion 

 is slow; the cloaca is inflamed (red) and sensitive 

 (irritated) ; the evacuations from the bowels are 

 frequent, the discharges being fluid, offensive and 

 varying in color from whitish-yellow to greenish. 

 In later stages the evacuations arc quite spas- 

 modic and forcefully ejected (squirting) and the 

 fluff and feathers near the vent are soiled with 

 feces. The affected bird gradually becomes 

 weaker and there is a rise in temperature. It may 



