158 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



membranes twisted so tightly that they have been 

 taken for worms. 



The production of these incomplete eggs is an evi- 

 dence of irritation in the central portion of the oviduct. 

 It shows that the albumen is secreted without the 

 normal stimulous that is given by the presence of a 

 yolk, and passing down the tube to the uterus is there 

 covered with a shell. The hen laying such eggs 

 should be removed from the flock, kept quiet and 

 treated as recommended for inflammation of the ovi - 

 duct. 



EGGS WITHIN EGGS. 



This anomaly, which has been a matter of record 

 for something like two hundred years, is closely re- 

 lated to the one just considered, and is of not unfre- 

 quent occurrence. The inclosed egg is a small one, 

 with a shell and contains only albumen. Its produc- 

 tion is easily explained. On account of irritation of 

 the central portion of the oviduct, albumen is secreted 

 without the presence of a yolk ; this albumen is press - 

 ed by the contractions of the tube downwards to the 

 uterus where a shell is deposited upon it. In the ef- 

 fort to expel this small egg irregular contractions are 

 induced which force it upwards for a certain distance 

 where it meets a yolk surrounded with albumen, or a 

 second mass of albumen without a yolk, becomes im- 

 bedded in this soft albumen and a membrane and shell 

 are formed around the whole. The compound egg thus 

 formed is usually of normal size. These abnormalities 

 which have excited much wonder in persons ignorant 

 of the phy.siology of egg production, are inreality very 

 easily understood, and the experienced poultryman 

 will draw the conclusion from their frequent repetition 

 tha;liis flock .is being forced beyond the limit of safety. 



