BLOOD DISEASES 139 



first ; the head and tail are down, and the bird stands around 

 in corners or on the roost, Avith its eyes closed. Fig. 59 shows 

 a photograph of a typical case. Note the attitude of head, 

 tail and body. 



Another form of septicemia in chickens is caused by a com- 

 ma-shaped germ — the Si)irilhim Metcliinikovi or Vibrio Met- 

 chinikovi. 



The symptoms are similar to those of fowl cholera, except 

 that there is no, or at most but slight, elevation of the tem- 

 perature. Diarrhea is constantly present. Inflammation of 

 the bowel and enlarged liver (hepatitis) is noted. The disease 

 has not been reported in this country. It may exist unrecog- 

 nized. 



PERICARDITIS 



This is an inflammation of the pericardium or heart sac ; 

 there is usually a sero-fibrinous 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 associated with diseases of tha blood and of the 

 lungs, as a complication; further than this its cause is not 

 Imown, but may result from exposure to cold and dampness. 

 It may be a complication of fowl cholera, of acute tuberculous 

 origin, or pneumo-pericarditis, the latter an extension of 

 the inflammation from the lung structures to the pericardium. 



Symptoms. — A diagnosis of pericarditis cannot ordinarily 

 be made during the life of the bird, but is easily demonstrated 

 on autopsy. Among the symptoms are intense dyspnea, the 

 beak being held open. Tumultuous heart action, extreme ex- 

 haustion on exercise may exist. The bird may fall if forced to 

 move and death may occur from syncope. There may be a 

 degeneration of the heart muscle and possibly a rupture of 

 the pericardium. 



Treatment. — Treatment is unsatisfactory; numerous cases 

 occurring in the same flock should lead to the enforcement of 

 better hygienic conditions, especially to better ])rotectioii 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 infrequent 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 



