DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 129 



Symptoms. — Pain on palpation of the abdomen, and pain- 

 ful defecation. There may be a loss of appetite, dullness, and 

 later marked prostration and death. 



Chronic peritonitis is more common than the acute type. 



Post Mortem Appearance. — The surface of the peritoneum 

 appears rough and Hakes of purulent material are found 

 among- the intestines and other abdominal organs. This type 

 is a purulent peritonitis and is the one most common. 



ASCITES 



Ascites has been observed in both fowls and canaries. 



It has been found to appear in certain diseased conditions 

 of the liver, kidney or heart. It may also appear in chronic 

 nonsuppurative inflammation of the peritoneum. 



Symptoms. — Great distension of the abdomen. Upon shak- 

 ing the bird the liquid may be heard within. Palpation does 

 not reveal the abdominal cavity filled with hard objects. 



Treatment. — Tap the abdominal cavity and allow the liquid 

 to escape. For this purpose a hollow needle (a hypodermic 

 needle will do) is used. Give two grains of potassium iodid 

 in capsule by the mouth twice daily. 



NEPHRITIS 



Acute nephritis is frequently met with in fowls. Baby 

 chicks which are allowed to be exposed to cold rains and be- 

 come chilled or which are not properly cared for and improper 

 heat supplied, suffer with acute congestion and inflammation 

 of the kidneys. 



Symptoms. — Acute and chronic inflammation interferes 

 with the appetite, arrests growth and at times there is a loss 

 of coordination. 



Post Mortem Examination. — The kidneys are increased in 

 size; the tissue is rather firm in consistency in the chronic 

 type. The organ may, in chronic cases, be of a greyish-yellow 

 color. There is hypertrophy of the interstitial connective tis- 

 sue. The uriniferous tubules are partly destroyed and the 

 epithelium in many parts may be in a state of fatty degenera- 

 tion. I 



Chronic indurative nephritis is noted often. 



Acute parenchymatous nephritis has been observed in hens 

 dying of purulent peritonitis and purulent inflammation of 

 the air sacs. 



