DISEASES OF POULTRY. 91 



the consequent distention and obstruction of the in- 

 testinal passage. It is sometimes caused by dry, as- 

 tringent food; in other cases it results from some irri- 

 tation of the mucous membranes ; it may be due to the 

 unnatural dryness of the intestine, which often occurs 

 after attacks of diarrhea. The intestine may also be 

 obstructed by masses of gravel and by quantities of 

 parasitic worms. These obstructions may be found in 

 any part of the intestinal tract. Frequently, obstruc- 

 tion occurs at the lower end of the intestine near the 

 external opening. This is caused either by irritation 

 of the cloaca or by the drying of excrement upon 

 the feathers about the anus, and its continued collec- 

 tion until the expulsion of the intestinal contents can 

 no longer be accomplished. In all of these cases 

 there necessarily follows a great accumulation of mat- 

 ter in the intestine above the obstructed point; the 

 moisture is absorbed from this, it becomes dry and hard, 

 irritation and inflammation are produced sooner or 

 later and the life of the bird is seriously threatened. 



Symptoms. — Birds which are affected with serious 

 constipation or intestinal obstruction become dull, lose 

 their appetite, stand with arched back, roughened 

 plumage, walk with more or less difficulty, are at times 

 uneasy and make frequent attempts to expel the 

 excrement. By careful examination, the hard impact- 

 ed intestine may often be felt through the abdominal 

 walls or the obstruction of the cloaca may be dis- 

 covered. Frequently, the dried mass of excrement 

 may be seen adhering to the feathers and blocking the 

 external opening of the bowels. 



Treatment. — When the obstruction has commen- 

 ced and is maintained by accumulations of the excre- 



