80 Diseases of Poultry 



spoonful of water 2 or 3 times a day. Sanborn recommends 

 1 grain opium pills twice a day to relieve pain, and warm 

 liquid foods such as meat juice and milk in equal parts. 



Abdominal Dropsy or Ascites 



Etiology. — This disease is sometimes called chronic 

 peritonitis. It is characterized by the accumulation of a 

 large quantity of liquid in the abdominal cavity. In some 

 cases the abdomen becomes so distended that it nearly or 

 quite touches the ground when the bird is standing. Salmon 

 says : " If examined by slight pressure of the hand the swell- 

 ing is found to be soft and fluctuating ; it will yield in one 

 place and cause greater distention at another. That is, 

 it gives the sensation of sac filled with liquid." 



Abdominal dropsy may begin with a mild case of peri- 

 tonitis which has continued for a long time without becoming 

 serious. In young chicks it is said to be due to an anaemic 

 condition produced by bad feeding and insanitary conditions. 

 In older birds it may also result from this same cause or may 

 be due to some obstruction of the venous circulation either by 

 a tumor or by some structural disease of the abdominal organs. 



Diagnosis. — The most marked symptom, of course, is 

 the enlarged, flabby abdomen. Salmon says: "Fowls 

 affected in this way are dull, disinclined to move, generally 

 feeble with pale comb and diminished appetite." 



Treatment. — "Treatment of this condition is not profit- 

 able, but in special cases, stimulating diet with considerable 

 animal food, tonics and diuretics may be tried. Iodide 

 of potassium or iodide of iron in doses of 1 grain is particu- 

 larly indicated." (Salmon.) Tapping with a hollow needle 

 or trocar through the skin and muscles of the abdomen 

 and allowing the fluid to escape is also recommended. It 

 will usually be found more profitable to kill the bird. 



