112 POULTRY DISEASES 



has not been reported in this country. It may 

 exist unrecognized. 



Pericarditis 



This is an inflammation of the pericardium or 

 heart sac; there is usually an effusion about the 

 heart, and it is often spoken of as dropsy of the 

 heart sac or dropsy of the heart. It is, of course, 

 not strictly a blood disease, but it is often asso- 

 ciated with diseases of the blood and of the lungs, 

 as a complication; further than this its cause is 

 not known, but may result from exposure to cold 

 and dampness. 



Symptoms. — A diagnosis of pericarditis cannot 

 ordinarily be made during the life of the bird, but 

 is easily demonstrated on autopsy. Tumultous 

 heart action, extreme exhaustion on exercise, and 

 difficulty of breathing are symptoms observable 

 during life. 



Treatment. — Treatment is unsatisfactory; nu- 

 merous cases occurring in the same flock should 

 lead to the enforcement of better hygienic condi- 

 tions, especially to better protection from cold 

 and dampness. 



Endocarditis 



This is an inflammation of the lining membrane 

 of the heart, usually affecting the valves also. 

 Nothing is known of its cause, but it is of not in- 

 frequent occurrence during the course of certain 

 diseases of the blood. It cannot be diagnosed dur- 

 ing life, and therefore cannot be treated. From 

 what we know of the cause of endocarditis in man 

 and animals, we should expect exposure to cold 

 and dampness to be a factor in the cause of this 

 disease, and as such to be avoided. 



