SYMPTOMS 79 



Occasionally the first symptom is a diarrhea in which the 

 excrement is passed in large quantities and consists almost en- 

 tirely of white urates mixed with colorless mucus. 



Very soon after the first symptoms appear the bird sepa- 

 rates itself from the flock, it no longer stands erect, the 

 feathers are roughened, the wings droop, the head is drawn 

 down towards the body and the general outline of the bird 

 becomes spherical or ball shaped. At this period there is 

 great weakness, the affected bird becomes drowsy and may 

 sink into a sleep which lasts during the last day or two of its 

 life, and from which it is almost impossible to arouse it. 



The crop is nearly always distended with food and appar- 

 ently paralyzed. There is in most cases intense thirst. If the 

 birds are aroused and caused to walk, there is at first an 

 abundant discharge of excrement followed at short intervals 

 by scanty evacuations. 



With the beginning of diarrhoea the body temperature 

 rises to 109 or 110° F. The comb loses its bright hue and 

 becomes pale and bloodless. In Europe the comb is described 

 as dark blue, purple, or black, and some writers in the United 

 vStates have referred to it in the same terms. Salmon reports 

 that he has never observed a dark comb in the cases he has 

 seen. 



Diseased birds rapidly lose in weight, they are so weak 

 that a slight touch causes them to fall over, and they walk 

 with great difficulty. The fowls become very much emaciated. 

 Death may occur without a struggle or there may be convul- 

 sive movements and cries. 



This disease ma}^ rapidly run through a flock destroying 

 the greater part of the birds in a week, or it may assume a 

 more chronic form, extend slowly, and remain upon the prem- 

 ises for several weeks or months. 



§ 68. Morbid anatomy. The comb is pale and blood- 

 less. The superficial blood vessels usually contain but little 

 blood, and there are in most cases soiled feathers about the 

 anus, to which the excrement may adhere in considerable 

 quantity. 



The liver is usually enormously enlarged, softened, with 



