78 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



oil poured into the back ])ait of the mouth may assist 

 in dislodging it. A small p'air of forceps or any small 

 blunt -pointed instrument may in certain cases be ser- 

 viceable. Careful manipulation with the fingers may 

 usuallj' be relied upon, however, to accomplish the re- 

 moval of the obstruction. 



CATARRH OR INFLAMMATION OF THE CROP. 



The mucous membrane lining the interior of the 

 crop ma}' be the seat of more or less irritation or even 

 of inflammation. As a result of this process the func- 

 tions of the organ are disturbed or arrested and serious 

 conditions develop. The disease does not appear to 

 be very common except as a complication of other 

 disorders. 



Causation. — Catarrh of the crop ma^^ be caused by 

 irregular feeding and bj^ too much food being taken at 

 one time. When the crop is over -distended the mus- 

 cular coat is partially paral3'zed, the secretion of the 

 glands is interfered with, there is congestion of the 

 internal coat, and fermentation or decomposition of 

 the contents. If fowls eat feathers or other indigestible 

 substances, these may irritate the mucous coat of the 

 crop and produce catarrh. Partially decomposed meat, 

 or putrid food of an}' kind, is also irritating and liable 

 to produce the same result. The same disease occurs 

 when birds eat substances containing phosphorus or 

 arsenic, either by gaining access to rat poison, or when 

 they are intentionall}' poisoned. Catarrh may, also, 

 result from the presence of animal parasites (worms) 

 such as the Dispharagns nasutus and uncinatus and 

 the TricJiosoma contort uiu. It is also a complication 

 of thrush, diphtheria and cholera. With pigeons which 

 have lost their young, it results from engorgement of 



