DISEASES OF THE DKJESTIVE TRACT 125 



fests itself as a luiiip in the throat or neck, which is easily 

 felt. 



Treatment. — Jl will be necessary to keep the premises thor- 

 oughly clean, constantly disinfected, washed with an antisep- 

 tic. The trays after each batch of squabs need to be cleaned 

 and disinfected, as, in fact, does the entire building. 



Some good results have been obtained by treating these 

 squabs early with a solution of iodin applied to the part with 

 a swab after first curetting out the mass. Also other anti- 

 septics recommended for chicken cholera may be used. If the 

 disease has progressed very far, it is best to kill the squab 

 and cremate it. 



A condition similar to this has been called canker. The following 

 IS the experience of Dr. E. J. Foreman who is a breeder of fine 

 pigeons: 



"I have had several pigeons die of this trouble or a trouble similar 

 to the condition you describe. 



"I have operated on a number by making a free incision and re- 

 moving the cheesy deposit, swabbing out the cavity with iodin after 

 u hich they make a nice recovery. The beak is sometimes deformed 

 following the disease and treatment. I never have found pus. The 

 mucous membrane, after the paste-like substance has been removed, 

 is usually reddish in color but I find no ulcer underlying it. This 

 trouble develops in young birds, and mostly in those still accepting 

 feed from the mother. 



"The following are the results of some autopsies: 



"Case 1. — I found this squab dead in the morning. A mass of 

 yellowish, fibrinous deposit was found in the esophagus at a point 

 near the entrance of the thorax. There was nothing visible in the 

 mouth or nasal chambers. 



"Case 2. — This one developed a large tumefaction above the left 

 eye which caused a profuse flow of tears. An incision was made 

 above the eye and the deposit removed, after which the cavity was 

 swabbed w'i'th iodin. There was a second exudate in the roof of 

 the mouth. This material was removed and the part swabbed with 

 iodin. The bird made a complete recovery. 



"Case 3. — There was a very large swelling in the cervical region 

 in this case. A free incision was made into the tumefaction and 

 the large deposit of putty-like material removed. The cavity was 

 swabbed out wnth iodin and the incision sutured. Partial recovery 

 followed, but there appeared a small mass of material between the 

 edges of the wound. This material was removed and the part again 

 swabbed with iodin and the bird made a nice recovery. This bird, 

 though recovering, still lacks vigor and may possibly have other 

 affections. 



"Where internal lesions appear as in the chest cavity or abdominal 

 cavity the bird manifests symptoms of 'going light.' appears languid, 

 dull, stupid, losing its appetite, gradually becoming emaciated and 

 finally dying. Tn these cases usually internal lesions may be found, 



"Case 4. — This was in a young bird that had escaped from the 

 nest. Its head was bady lacerated by the old birds picking it. There 

 was no indication of canker. After several days the bird died and 



