DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY PASSAGES 171 



A contraction of the blood vessels of the skin and periphery 

 forces an abnormal amount of blood to the internal organs, 

 and congestion is the result. Improper feeding and lack of 

 exercise are also contril)uting 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 

 examination 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 exceedingly 

 rapid course, terminating in recovery, pneumonia, or death. 

 Treatment is impractical. The ailment should ])e prevented 

 by good feeding and adequate protection from cold or wet 

 weather. 



PNEUMONIA— INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS 



Bronchitis, described in the foregoing, often terminates in 

 pneumonia (broncho-pneumonia). It has been the experi- 

 ence of the writer that broncho-pneumonia, following an at- 

 tack of bronchitis, is the commonest form of the disease. 



The causes of pneumonia are the same as the causes of 

 colds and bronchitis, except that the exposure is often more 



severe. 



Symptoms.— There is an entire loss of appetite, with thirst 

 and constipation. The bird stands with the head drawn in. 

 drooping wings and ruffled feathers; breathing is rapid and 

 painful, and there may or may not be coughing. There is 

 usually a discharge of thick, adhesive mucus from the nos- 

 trils: the eyes may be inflamed and water freely. The bird 

 has every appearance of severe illness. 



Treatment. — Except in the case of birds of unusual value, 

 treatment is wholly impractical, owing to the amount of care 

 and nursing necessary and because of the doubtful outcome. 



If treatment is undertaken, the birds should be warmly 

 housed and the best of ventilation maintained. Spirits of 

 camphor, two drops, and brandy, 10 drops, should be given 

 hourlv in a teaspoonful of warm milk : if the comb becomes 

 dark,' add one drop of fluid extract of digitalis to the medi- 

 cation. 



Aidopsij. —Vpon opening the bird that has died from pneu- 

 monia, the affected part of the Inner will be found to be 

 dark red, and when cut through it is liver-like in appearance 



