DISEASES OF POULTRY. 79 



the follicles that secrete the milky liciuid with which 

 the young pigeons are fed. 



Symptoms. — The most prominent symptom is dis- 

 tention of the crop, and on examination the swelling 

 is found to be soft and due to accumulated liquid or 

 gas, mixed with more or less food. The birds are dull, 

 indisposed to move, and there is belching of gas, loss 

 of appetite and weakness. Sometimes there is nausea 

 and the affected bird attempts to vomit. Pressure upon 

 the crop causes the expulsion through the mouth of 

 liquid and gas having an offensive odor due to fer- 

 mentation. 



Treatment. — A clean, dry pen should be provided 

 for the affected bird or Inrds where proper attention 

 can be given to the treatment and where the food can 

 be regulated. The first step in treatment is to empty 

 the crop of its irritating and decomposing contents by 

 careful pressure and manipulation while the bird is 

 held with its head downward. When the crop appears 

 to be entirely freed of its contents, give two grains of 

 subnitrate of bismuth and one -half grain of bicar- 

 bonate of soda in a teaspoonful of water. This will 

 relieve the irritation and correct the acidity. Some 

 authors recommend salicylic acid to be given imme- 

 diately after the crop is emptied. It may be con- 

 veniently administered by dissolving one grain in an 

 ounce of water and giving two to three teaspoonfuls 

 as a dose. The bird should be kept without food for 

 eighteen or twenty hours, and then fed sparingly upon 

 soft, easily digested material. If one -half grain of 

 quinine is given morning and night for two or three 

 days the recovery is hastened. If treatment is com- 

 menced in time most of the birds will recover. 



