CHAPTER XIII. 



Diseases of the Circulatory System. 



Pci'icarditis (Inflammation of the Pericardium, Dropsy of the 



Heart Sac) . 



This disease is often fonnd associated with other diseases of 

 the circulatory system and with diseases of the lungs and air- 

 sacs and also with soreness of the joints. 



Diagnosis. — A differential diagnosis of this disease during life 

 is not usually possible. Salmon gives the following symptoms : 

 "There is great weakness, difficult breathing, the head being 

 thrown backwards, and the breath drawn through the mouth in 

 order to obtain sufficient air. If forced to run the bird soon 

 falls. In a case observed by Hill there was tumultuous action 

 of the heart and occasional spasms." Examination of a bird 

 dead from this disease shows the heart sac full of serous liquid 

 and sometimes the cavity is divided by false membranes which 

 may attach to the heart as well as to the pericardium. 



Etiology. — The causes of this inflammation are not known. 

 It may result from exposure to cold or dampness. 



Treatment. — Treatment is impossible since the disease can not 

 be diagnosed until after death. Successive cases in the same 

 flock indicate exposure of the flock to cold or wet weather or 

 to confining the birds in insanitary houses. These conditions 

 should be remedied. Salmon also recommends in such cases 

 "2 to 4 grains of bicarbonate of soda to each bird daily in the 

 drinking water." 



Endocarditis {Inflammation of the Internal Membranes of 



the Heart). 



In the examination of dead birds it is sometimes found that 

 the membrane lining the heart is reddened and coagulated lymph 

 may adhere to it. Little is known of this disease in fowls. It 

 cannot be distinguished from pericarditis except by an examina- 

 tion of the heart. The cause and treatment suggested for that 

 disease probably apply equally in these cases. 



