RESPIRATORY DISEASES 143 



Give plenty of clean water and soft feed (bread or 

 middlings moistened with milk), to whicli lias 

 been added 2 grains of black antimony for each 

 bird. Feed twice daily. 



Congestion of the Lungs 



This is an engorgement of the blood vessels of 

 the lungs. Congestion of the kings is quite apt 

 to develop into pneumonia, of which it may be said 

 to be the first stage. It has been observed in 

 young birds and in birds during their moulting 

 season, when they are poorly clad with feathers 

 and exposed to inclement weather. 



Young chicks that are allowed to run out in the 

 early morning and become wet with cold dew, and 

 chicks allowed to become wet with the cold spring 

 rains and become chilled, are likely to suffer from 

 congestion of the lungs and pneumonia. 



A contraction of the blood vessels of the skin 

 and periphera forces an abnormal amount of blood 

 to the internal organs, and congestion is the re- 

 sult. Improper feeding and lack of exercise are 

 also contributing factors. Birds having this ail- 

 ment will be noted to be sleepy and stupid, and to 

 breathe rapidly. In some cases the breathing is 

 difficult. The comb becomes bluish and the bird 

 may die because it cannot get enough air into the 

 lungs (asphyxiation). Upon postmortem exami- 

 nation the lungs will be found engorged with blood. 



The pressure of the blood in the engorged blood 

 vessels of the lungs may close the smaller air 

 passages which they surround, or may burst their 

 thin walls and fill the bronchi with blood. In 

 either case rapid asphyxiation occurs. 



Treatment.— Congestion of the lungs runs an ex- 

 ceedingly rapid course, terminating in recovery. 



