128 DISKASKS OF POULTRY. 



able to stand and there are convulsive movements of 

 tlic limbs followed by death. 



On opening the abdominal cavity of birds which 

 have died tlie lining membrane is found to be deep red 

 in color, and is sometimes covered by an exudate 

 which may consist of a thin transparent fil^rinous 

 layer or it may be thick, yellowish or reddish -yellow 

 and opaque. The abdomen may contain more or less 

 liquid which may be transparent or it may be turbid 

 and tinged with a yellow, or reddish -yellow color. 

 If the troubde is due to perforation of the intestine, 

 lliis li(|uid will have a very offensive odor from the 

 multiplication of putrefactive germs. If it has re- 

 sulted from rupture of the oviduct, an egii:, either in- 

 tact or broken, will generally be found in the abdom- 

 inal cavity and the ruptured place in the wall of the 

 oviduct is easily di.scovered. 



Treatment. — Peritonitis is a very difficult disease 

 to treat and it is only in the milder cases that success 

 can be reasonably expected. The affected birds must 

 be kept (|uiet and protected from currents of air, and 

 opium ill doses of one grain every four hours is recom- 

 mended to quiet the pain and reduce the movements 

 of the intestine, or mix 3 or 4 drops of tincture of 

 aconite in half a glass of water and give a teaspoonful 

 three or four times a day. Injections of tepid water 

 are indicated to counteract constipation. Flannels 

 dipped in hot water should be squeezed partly dry 

 and applied to the abdominal wall, renewing them as 

 often as necessary to keep up a moist heat. This 

 treatment should be continued for half an hour to 

 an hour, and repeated three or four times a day, dry- 

 ing the surface well, afterwards, so that the bird will 

 not take cold. If there is great weakness one or two 



