KJ4 POULTRY DISEASES 



die in a few days. Death is usually due to exhaustion and 

 stai'vation. Foreign bodies in the stomach of fowls often 

 cause perforation of its wall. Johne reports perforation of 

 the wall of the stomach of a goose due to a pointed foreign 

 body. 



Treatment. — Surgical interference is the only treatment for 

 this condition likely to be effective. Having diagnosed the 

 case, it is not difficult to clip away the feathers, clean up the 

 surface with mild antiseptics and with a sharp knife open 

 the crop and remove the obstruction. The crop and the skin 

 should then be sutured, and the bird allowed only soft food 

 for a week. 



AYhere the obstruction is due to a weakened condition of 

 tlie walls of the proventriculus, its contents may sometimes 

 be forced back through the gullet and out of the mouth by 

 careful manipulation with the hands. 



IMPACTION OF THE INTESTINES 



This condition is rare in fowls on range. It may be due 

 to masses of intestinal worms such as round worms (Ascaris 

 inflexa) or tapeworms or it may be due to pebbles, pieces 

 of rags or feathers. 



Canaries and other cage birds at times suffer from impac- 

 tion caused by sluggish peristalsis due to the sedentary life and 

 heavy, indigestible feeds. Impaction of the cecum due to im- 

 proper feeding may occur. The matting together of the vent 

 feathers may prevent defecation. This is very common in 

 ba])y chicks affected by diarrhea. 



Symptoms. — The birds drop dry feces in small amounts at 

 long intervals and accompanied with considerable straining. 

 Tliere may be depression of the bird, listlessness, loss of ap- 

 petite. Death may occur from necrosis of the wall at point 

 of obstruction and from exhaustion. 



Treatment. — Give a cathartic of castor oil or Epsom salts. 

 Give one-half tablespoonful Epsom salts to an adult fowl and 

 in proportion to small birds. 



TYMPANY OF THE CROP (GASEOUS CROP) 



Tliis is due to a gas-forming germ, which sets up putrefac- 

 tion of the contents of the crop. It is usually accompanied 

 by an inflammation (catarrh) of the croj) wliich inter Teres 

 with its normal function. Birds have been noted to have at 

 times enormously distended crops, which, upon examination, 

 proved to ])e filled with gas. Usually these crops contain very 

 little feed. This condition often affects chicks as well as older 

 birds. 



