64 



:}. SIMPLE INDIGESTION AND LOSS OF APPE 



TITE. 



These conditions result from such a variety of 

 causes that it is rather difficult to classify them as a 

 disease. Usually they are merely symptoms of dis- 

 ease in different organs or o<f general disease. If, after 

 a careful examination, no cause for loss of appetite 

 can be discoA'ered it may be that it merely results from 

 indigestion and will respond to appropriate treatment 

 for this condition. But in all cases, a very careful ex- 

 amination should he made for other diseases. Fre- 

 quently, indigestion is produced by too rich food given 

 in large quantities and especially when the bird is un- 

 acoustomed to it. Sudden changes of diet are also 

 detrimental and when birds are exposed to weakening 

 influences, such as sudden changes of weather, unsani- 

 tary conditions, etc., they may find it impossible to di- 

 gest the food that they are accustomed to and have 

 been thriving upon. Or, indigestion may result from 

 feeding things that cannot be digested or that are di- 

 gested vei'y slowly and ferment while passing through 

 the digestive canal. Putrid food of all kinds will come 

 within this class. Sometimes, fo-reign bodies lodge in 

 the crop or gizzard or other point in the digestive tract 

 and if they are sharp and cannot be digested or dis 

 solved, they may remain stationary for a long time, 

 causing serious inflammation and possibly death. If 

 it is discoveied that substances, such as large pieces 

 of glass, or ]>ie('ps of m<'tal, etc.. are ])resent. tlicy 

 should be removed by an operation similar to the oper 



