172 Diseases of Poultry 



hardened skin at the tip of the tongue. Thus scab may crack 

 partly away from the tongue exposing a raw surface. 



Etiology. — It would appear to be the case that the symp- 

 toms above described originated from different causes in dif- 

 ferent cases. The trouble may be due to specific infection, 

 though a particular organism has not yet been definitely iso- 

 lated as the cause. In some cases the symptom is apparently 

 purely physiological, arising from a failure of the mucus- 

 secreting glands to function properly, owing to a lowered 

 physiological condition. 



Treatment. — The essential points in the treatment of this 

 diseased condition is first to treat the primary cause (cold, 

 catarrh, etc.). In removing the scale or "pip" gentle meas- 

 ures are to be followed, otherwise a raw surface likely to 

 ulcerate, will be left. It is better to keep the scab wet with 

 an equal mixture of glycerine and water. If the scab comes 

 off leaving a raw surface this should be treated with disin- 

 fecting solutions (see p. 168) and then with glycerine. 



Prognosis. — Pip is associated with diseases of the respira- 

 tory organs which are often serious and sometimes fatal. It 

 is this association which is responsible for the general belief 

 that it is a dangerous malady. In itself it is not serious 

 unless the mucous membrane is torn away with the scab and 

 the wound becomes infected. 



Canker 



Membranes formed in diphtheritic roup are sometimes 

 called canker, but there are frequently found cheesy patches 

 on the mucous membrane of the mouth or tongue which are 

 not associated with roup. These growths are frequently, at 

 least, the result of a traumatic injury to the membrane. 

 Male birds frequently have canker where they have been 

 picked in the mouth by other males when fighting. The 



