DISEASES OF THE DIGESTI\T]: SYSTEM 51 



digestive fluid secreted by the gastric glands. This second 

 digestive action consists in thoroughly soaking the feed in the 

 gastric juice, making it soft and preparing it for maceration by 

 the heavily muscled gizzard. Following maceration it passes into 

 the intestine. It is here that the digestive action is completed 

 and absorption occurs. 



Under the conditions of domestication, poultry are subject 

 to a great variety of intestinal disorders. 



Diseases of the Crop. — Impaction and inflammation are the 

 two conniion diseases of the crop. Large, impacted crops are 

 usually caused by the feeding of too much dry feed, fermentation 

 of the contents of the crop and foreign bodies that obstruct the 

 opening from the organ. 



Inflammation of the crop is caused by excessive use of condi- 

 ments in the feed, putrid or spoiled feeds and eating caustic 

 drugs, such as lime and rat poison. 



The symptoms are dulness, an indisposition to move about, 

 drooping wings and efforts to eject gases and liquids. The crop 

 is found greatly distended and either hard or soft, depending on 

 the quantity of feed present and the cause of the distention. 

 If fermentation is present the crop usually feels soft. 



The preventive treatment consists in practising proper 

 methods of feeding. The curative treatment of a recent case 

 consists in manipulating the mass of feed, breaking it up and 

 forcing it upwards toward the mouth. If difticulty in breaking 

 up the mass is experienced, it is advisable to administer a table- 

 spoonful of castor oil to the bird. 



If the above manipulations are unsuccessful, an operation is 

 necessary. This consists in making an opening through the skin 

 and the wall of the crop and removing the contents with tweezers. 

 The opening must be closed with sutures. The proper aseptic 

 precautions must be observed. 



In inflammation of the crop, the bird should be dieted for at 

 least one day, and one teaspoonful of castor oil given as a laxative. 



