I 7 s



Post Mortem Examinations.



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.



RULES.


Each bird must be forwarded, as soou after death as possible, carefully packed and postage

paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, 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.



Indigo Bird (Miss St. Ouintin). [Your bird died of apoplexy. A11 exceptionally extensive

extravasation of blood on the brain].


Zebra Finch (Mr, H. B. Rathborne). [Your bird died of acute enteritis].


Tanager (Rev. R. H. Wilmot). [Your bird died of acute pneumonia, but the last attack

was evidently very acute as shown by refusing food and dying so quickly].


Red-legged Partridge (The Duchess of Bedford). [Apoplexy was cause of death. It is

by no means uncommon to see healthy birds attack one that is injured or in a fit].


-Californian Quail (Mrs. A. K. Connell). [Your bird died from heart failure. It was a

mere frame, the emaciation being extreme. There was extensive tubercular deposit

in the mesenteric glands].


Zebra Finch (Miss H. K. O. Walker). [Death was due to inflammation of the oviduct caused

by a ruptured soft egg, the outer covering" of which being - retained set lip the inflam¬

mation referred to. If this had been diagnosed and carefully removed with a small

pair of forceps she might have recovered].


Cordon Bleu and Zosterops (Miss E. E. West). [Your bird died of pneumonia and in

all probability your suggestion as to the cause is correct. Reply sent by post, fee 2/6,

received with thanks].


Waxwing (Mr. W. II. St. Quintin). “ I have lost several during the last few weeks, some

three or four like this one newly-imported, but previously I lost two I had in my

possession over twelve months. Symptoms: drooping for two or three days and in

some cases scouring. Fed on ants’ eggs, potato and a little preserved yolk of egg,

currants and sultana raisins. I generally give my Waxwings wild berries, elder, and

hips and haws, but there have been none this year. It points to some defect in feed¬

ing or damp I think.” [The post-moriem of your bird reveals no disease further than

general wasting and consequent anaemia. The pale coloring referred to is the result

of debility. Your opinion as to defect in feeding is doubtless correct. I have kept

many Waxwings, but with an opposite experience to yours. Mine were fat as butter

and all died in perfect plumage in a fit. I never lost one through wasting. I think

that owing to the want of natural food in the form of berries, etc., some more fatten¬

ing food would have helped them. Doubtless, those lately imported were too far gone

before you received them. I certainly think the bad weather has had something to do

in keeping back birds already debilitated and prevented them from accommodating

themselves to an unnatural diet].


Masked Firefinch (Mr. N. B. Roberts). [Pneumonia].


Masked Finch (Mrs. Howard Williams). [Your bird died of a direct injury to the heart.

It had evidently swallowed a very small pin, which had penetrated the oesophagus

and the point was touching the heart, and there was a large blood clot in the thoracic

cavity].



