The Diagnosis of the Diseases of Poultry 49 



ined for evidence of rupture of its walls, or the presence of 

 concrements. 



The kidneys have normally a dark red mottled appear- 

 ance. In cases of disease the most marked change to be 

 seen is one of color. The kidneys may thus be either ex- 

 tremely congested and much deeper color than the normal, 

 or, on the other hand, they may be pale and take on a 

 yellowish hue. Again they may be covered with a heavy 

 white deposit of urates. 



At this point one may make a thorough examination of 

 the peritoneum or lining membrane of the body cavity to 

 see whether or not this is diseased. In a condition of 

 health it is a glistening, thin, transparent membrane which 

 lines the whole of the body cavity and covers the viscera. 

 In cases of disease or abnormal conditions which cause 

 peritonitis, it becomes a thickened whitish or yellowish and 

 opaque membrane. 



If anything like roup or any other disease of the air pas- 

 sages is suspected, examination should be made of the nasal 

 passages in the head. This can best be done by opening 

 the lower jaw and then with a sharp knife making a slit 

 straight back from the corners of the mouth so to fold the 

 lower jaw back on the throat and expose the larynx and upper 

 end of the trachea. At the same time by cutting away the 

 roof of the mouth one can examine the nasal passages proper. 



THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF CERTAIN POST-MOBTEM 

 APPEARANCES 



In the table which follows the attempt has been to do for 

 the post-mortem diagnostic signs the same sort of thing 

 as was done in an earlier section for the external signs of 

 disease. There are listed in the table the more striking 

 post-mortem appearances which the poultryman is likely 



