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Post Morton Examinations.



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.



RULES.


Each bird mast be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage

paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gili., M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath

Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of

the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply

by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed.



Parrot Finch, cock (Mr. Pickard). [Pneumonia' of long standing caused death],

Budgkrigar (Mrs C. H. Williams). [Bird died of acute congestion of the lungs].


Oua 1 r. (Master Cuthbertson). [Concussion of the brain from a direct injury caused death],

Zostkuops (Mr. J. C. Baker). [Pneumonia was cause of death. It was a cock].


Two Whits: Java Sparrows (Mr. Ogle). [Both birds died of acute pneumonia].


Java Sparrow (Miss Furneaux). [Your bird Was killed by some other bird I think. There

was a wound on left side of head in which situation the skull was fractured. It may

have been the Java, but I should watch the Cardinal],


Two Bullfinches, cock and hen (Miss Parsons). [Both birds died in consequence of

pressure oti the brain caused by blood clot from a ruptured blood vessel. You do not

mention what you fed them on so cannot with certainty say the cause],


Phkasant and Blur and Black Tanagkk (Mrs. Noble). [Pheasant died of liver disease.

The Tanager of apoplexy].


Nonpar kil (Mr. Rycroft). [Apoplexy. You give no particulars of feeding so cannot advise

you as to the cause].


Grrkn Bulbul (Lady Carnegie). [Bird had diseased liver and had suffered from chronic

indigestion with malassimilation as a consequence. The muscular tissues being con¬

siderably wasted. The immediate cause of death was heart failure no doubt

increased by fright through being caught].


Hen Goulman Finch (Mrs. Johnstone). [You do not definitely say what the food is. This

bird was much emaciated and died from exhaustion from malassimilation, caused by

chronic indigestion].


Hen Kkdrump Parrakkkt (Mrs. Williams). [I should suggest giving the seeds mixed, as

if they are particular}' fond of either they are likely to eat very little one day and over

eat when their favourite food is given them. Your bird died of apoplexy],


Grern Avadavat (Miss Appleton). [Am sorry I was quite unable to make an examination

of bird as it was completely crushed in the post].


Hen Gouldian and Cutthroat, (Captain W. Tweedie). [Bird died of exhaustion con¬

sequent on malassimilation. She was quite a bag of bones. I have not had much

experience in keeping these birds for any time, but have seen grass seeds and rock

salt recommended. There seems to be a something requisite for these birds that is

not usually supplied to them in confinement, as I get many of them sent me for

examination in this very emaciated condition.


The Cutthroat had a fit, which was the cause of her paralysis. She died of starva¬

tion. There was not a particle of food in her. Your aviary affords quite sufficient

protection for such hardy birds as this and the others you mention. Thanks for kind

remarks, I am always pleased to assist the members].


Night Heron, cock (Mr. j. I.. Bonhotk). [The bird’s liver and abdominal glands weremuch

enlarged with tuberculous deposit. I do not remember seeing a worse case].

Avadavat (Mr. Moore). [Concussion of brain caused death. There were no signs of

enteric],


Amherst Pheasant, cock (Miss Parsons). [Bird died of inflammation of the bowels.


I should give a greater variety of grain and seeds].


White Java Sparrow (The Countess of Harewood). [Bird died of apoplexy. There was

no grit of any kind in the gizzard and the whole grains of (millet,had passed a con¬

siderable distance down the bowel without the slightest alteration in shape so they

were not digested at all],


Ruficauda Finch (Mr. Mason). [The bird died of acute enteritis],


St. Helena Waxbill (Captain B. R. Horsbrugh). [Apoplexj' was cause of death. Bird

was very fat].


Bullfinch, hen (Mr. N. S. O’Reilly). [The bird died of fractured skull. The left eye was

dislocated and the feathers above this eye were removed which gives me the idea it

must have flown very hard against the wires, and the beak gone through so the eyes

received the impact. I should watch any doubtful birds as the back of skull was

knocked in which might have been caused by another bird before death ensued from

injury described].


Pii.eated Finch (Miss West). [Broncho pneumonia was cause of death].


Spice Bird (Mrs. Robertson). [Your bird had an apopletic fit just before losinguse of legs,

as the old blood clot was to be seen. The pressure of this on the brain caused

paralysis; another similar fit was cause of death].


Zebra Dove (Miss Ivens). [Jaundice was the cause of death].



SPECIAL NOTE.—Would members kindly note that I can only undertake to make post

mortems on birds which are intact, and I really cannot undertake skinning or forward¬

ing birds after examination, as my time is limited. ARTHUR GILL.



