DISEASES OF POUI^TRY. 163 



thick false membranes adherent to both the heart and 

 pericardium and sometimes uniting the two. 



Treatment. — The disease is usually not recogniz- 

 ed in a bird until it is examined after death. If there 

 are repeated cases in the same flock it is an indication 

 of exposure to sudden changes of temperature, or to 

 extreme cold and dampness, and these conditions 

 should be removed. Give two to four grains of bi- 

 carbonate of soda to each bird daily in the drinking 

 water. 



ENDOCARDITIS, INFLAMMATION OF THE INTERNAL 

 MEMBRANE OF THE HEART. 



The delicate membrane lining the interior of the 

 auricles and ventricles is subject to inflammation as 

 well as the pericardium, but much less frequently. 

 The symptoms are not to be distinguished in fowls 

 from those of pericarditis. On examination after 

 death the internal surface of the heart is found redden - 

 ed and deposits of coagulated lymph adhering to it. 

 What has been said as to the cause and treatment of 

 pericarditis in fowls applies equally to this disease. 



HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART. 



Hypertrophy or enlargement of the heart has been 

 sometimes seen in fowls and particularly in pigeons. 

 It appears to be partly due to the great timidity of 

 pigeons with which the least fright is sufficient to 

 cause palpitations. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of hypertrophy are 

 violent beating of the heart which is sometimes so 

 extreme as to cause rupture of blood vessels and the 

 escape of blood from several points on the body at the 

 same time. Hypertrophy affects most frequently the 

 walls and valves of the right side of the heart 

 (Cadeac). 



