42 POULTRY DISJJASBS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



The symptoms are painful and ineffective efforts to evacuate 

 the bowels. In the vi^orst cases the vent becomes completely 

 plugged with dry, hard feces. The birds appear dull, listless 

 and without appetite. 



Treatment.— " AdnXt fowls having constipation without ob- 

 struction of the intestines, that is merely difficult movements, 

 should not require any treatment further than in correcting con- 

 ditions and diet. When the passage is obstructed the treatment 

 is according to the location of the obstruction. If it is at the 

 vent with hard accumulation about the vent as well as in the 

 intestine, the external accumulation must be removed first. This 

 is accomplished by soaking in warm water, which loosens the 

 attachment of the mass to the skin, and separates it enough to 

 allow clipping the feathers about the vent to which the mass 

 adheres. If the obstruction has filled the lower part of the in- 

 testine, there must be more soaking with warm water or soften- 

 ing with olive or sweet oil. Oil is applied between the accumu- 

 lated excrement and the skin by using a small syringe or an oil 

 can with very small nozzle. The process is a tedious one, and 

 where the poultryman's time is valuable is unprofitable except 

 in cases of valuable birds." 



"When the obstruction cannot be reached in this way purga- 

 tives must be given. Those usually recommended for fowls, 

 are castor oil, Epsom salts, and calomel." (Robinson.) 



INDIGESTION. 



Birds frequently suffer from disorders of the digestive system 

 which are not easily classified under any of the diseases so far 

 treated. Simple indigestion or dyspepsia most frequently re- 

 sults from overfeeding and the feeding of ground grains and 

 meat without sufficient green food, are some of the causes usu- 

 ally given. 



Symptoms. — The birds are dull and listless. They are in- 

 clined to sit on the roosts, and usually have but little appetite. 

 Occasionally birds suffering from indigestion have an abnormal 

 appetite and will eat ravenously quantities of foods which fur- 

 nish but little nourishment, e. g., grit. Indigestion is often ac- 

 companied by either constipation or diarrhea. In the latter case 

 the symptoms are similar to those described under simple diar- 

 rhea (p. 37). 



