192 POULTRY DISEASES 



bv increased formation of these substances or ])y diminished 

 excretion of them or by failure to utilize and destroy them in 

 the metabolism of the tissues. 



Hutyra and ^Marek state that Kionka and Barnes produced 

 typical gout in fowl ])y feeding them for several months ex- 

 clusively on horse flesh. Kossa points out that gout is caused 

 by chronic poisoning by oxalic acid, carbolic acid, corrosive 

 sublimate, aloin and acetone. 



If the ureters of the bird be ligated, gout may occur; hence, 

 it is argued that perverted function of the kidneys or ureters 

 may be a contributing factor in the production of gout. Lack 

 of exercise predisposes to goutj^ conditions. ]\Iale birds are 

 more frecpienth^ attacked than females. 



In visceral gout the chalky or mortar-like deposits may be 

 observed in the air sacs, pericardium, peritoneum, heart, or 

 liver. 



In the articular form the joints of the feet are more often 

 affected. Birds suffer especially in the tarsal, metatarsal and 

 phalangeal joints and at times in the joints of the wings. 



In birds there is, in the early stages, extreme tenderness 

 as manifested by the bird standing on one limb or resting on 

 the breast and moping around, staying away from the bal- 

 ance of the flock. There is a limp of the affected limb. At 

 first the affected limb is swollen, soft, hot and tender and 

 may pit on pressure ; later the parts may become extremely 

 hard. The enlargements may attain the size of an English 

 walnut and the parts may undergo necrosis. When necrosis 

 occurs there may be discharged a granular yellowish grey 

 material similar to talc. The bones may become deflected 

 from their normal direction as a result of the process. The 

 diagnostic symptom is the finding of deposits of sodium urate 

 in the lesions. 



The study as a basis of this article was made in two capons, 

 one a five-vear-old Barred Plvmouth Rock and the other a 

 five-year-old single comb Rhode Island Red. These birds had 

 been allowed to run at large and did not wander far from 

 the barn, where there was, at times, an abundance of grain 

 and especially more or less sprouting grain. 



These birds were quite lame, sitting around in comfortable 

 places and only moving when necessary. They were often 

 noted to stand alternatelv on one foot or the other to ease 

 the pain. The swellings were irregular in shape and hard. 

 The nodules measured three-quarters of an inch at the larg- 

 est diameter. The mobility of these joints were limited. 



Tn these birds the feather coat was rather rough ; the comb 

 and wattles as well as the face were pale. 



