Diseases of the Liver 93 



addition, bicarbonate of soda may be given in the drinking 

 water to the amount of 1 or 2 grains a day for each bird." 



Atrophy or Wasting of the Liver 



This is very similar in many respects to the disease de- 

 scribed by Salmon as fatty degeneration and probably arises 

 from the same cause, i.e., lack of variety in the food, espe- 

 cially lack of green food. 



The post-mortem appearance and the treatment are the 

 same as those given for fatty degeneration above. With 

 both of the diseases a weekly dose of some laxative such as 

 Epsom salts dissolved in water and mixed with the mash (a 

 level teaspoonful to each bird) is to be recommended. 



Congestion and Inflammation of the Liver 



These are probably different stages of the same disease. 

 The poultryman will find difficulty in distinguishing between 

 this disease and that known as hypertrophy of the liver 

 (cf. p. 90). The chief post-mortem difference is that in 

 the latter disease the liver is more solid, not so easily torn 

 or ruptured. 



Diagnosis. — There are no external symptoms other than 

 those of dullness and the general symptoms of disease. 

 Salmon says : " It is difficult to make a diagnosis during the 

 life of the bird. Post-mortem examination reveals a greatly 

 enlarged liver engorged with blood, tender and easily torn 

 or crushed." 



Treatment. — Treatment of these diseases in individual 

 birds is very rarely successful. The general treatment of 

 the flock as recommended on page 89 should be attended to. 

 The chief medicinal treatment should probably be frequent 

 doses of Epsom salts. 



