190 POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



mixed with brown. The discharged matter is more or less 

 sticky or glairy. In many cases it clings to the down in suffi- 

 cient quantity to plug up the vent. This condition is known as 

 "pasting up behind." 



Many of the chicks chirp or peep constantly or will utter a 

 shrill cry apparently of pain, when attempting to void the excre- 

 ta. These sounds are often characteristic of the disease. 



In many cases the chicks present the appearance of being 

 ''short backed" or "big bellied." Dr. Woods describes this as 

 follows : 



"The weakling is almost always big-bellied, the abdomen pro- 

 truding to the rear so that it bunches out behind, well out of 

 line with the vent, with the result that the chick looks as if 

 the tail piece and backbone has been pushed forward and in 

 just above the vent." (Cf. fig. 45). 



In some cases the chicks die with but little warning and show 

 few of the above symptoms. In other cases the sick chick will 

 last a long time showing all the symptoms mentioned. 



Post-mortem examination often reveals but few lesions. One 

 of the most striking things is the loss of flesh if the disease has 

 lasted for some time. The alimentary canal is usually nearly 

 empty except for some slimy fluid. The organs are all very 

 pale. The liver may have a few streaks showing congested 

 areas. Some of the unabsorbed yolk may or may not be pres- 

 ent. There is considerable variation in its appearance. It is 

 not usually putrid unless the chick has been dead for some time. 



The ceca are often filled with firm, cheesy or soft grayish 

 material depending apparently to some extent upon the form of 

 the disease (cf. pp. 186 and 188). 



Treatment. The treatment of white diarrhea depends some- 

 what on the cause. If it is due to improper feeding or brooding 

 of course the only treatment consists in removing the cause. 

 This will prevent the trouble in the later flocks and will help 

 those already affected. A small dose of a good purgative such 

 as Epsom salts will probably help in bringing the chicks into 

 better condition. Dr. P. T. Woods recommends giving the 

 chicks scalded sweet milk with a little grated nutmeg 4 times 

 a day. He also recommends boiled rice as food. They should 

 have plenty of charcoal before them and in their mash. They 

 should also have green food every day. If green food is not 

 available raw vegetables may be substituted. Some good anti- 



