DISEASES OF POULTRY. 127 



CHAPTER V. 



Diseases of the Peritoneum, I^iver, and Spleen. 



PERITONITIS, INFI,AMMATION OF THB PERITONEUM — CHRONIC 

 PERITONITIS, ASCITES, ABDOMINAI, DROPSY— DISEASES 

 OF THE LIVER — CONGESTION OF THE WVER — INFI,AMMA- 

 TION OF THE LIVER, HEPATITIS — ICTERUS, JAUNDICE, 

 BILIARY REPLETION — ATROPHY OR WASTING OP THE 

 LIVER — FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE LIVER — FATTY 

 LIVER — TUBERCULOSIS OF THE LIVER, SPLEEN AND PERI- 

 TONEUM. 



PERITONITIS, INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEUM. 



^^fc^HE peritoneum is the delicate serous membrane 

 / \ which lines the abdominal cavity and covers 

 ^Hv the surface of the organs situated in that cav - 

 ity. Inflammation of this membtane some- 

 times occurs as a result of the extension of a se- 

 vere inflammation of the intestine, liver or kidneys 

 to this neighboring tissue; or from perforation of 

 the intestine and the escape of a portion of the 

 intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity, 

 or from rupture of the oviduct. It is also caus- 

 ed by injuries or bruises of the abdominal wall; 

 and by the irritation due to parasites in the abdomin- 

 al cavity, or by the introduction of septic matter in the 

 operation of caponizing. 



Symptoms. — The acute cases develop rapidly and 

 with much intensity. There is loss of appetite, fever, 

 restlessness, and painful efforts to void the excrement. 

 The abdominal walls are hot and painful if pressed 

 upon, the birds rapidly lose strength, until no longer 



