48 POULTRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



we may be fairly certain that the trouble is tuberculosis and for 

 a further discussion of this the reader is referred to Chapter 

 VIII. 



In the second class of these diseases the liver shows great 

 enlargement and this is often accompanied or followed by fatty 

 degeneration. This hypertrophy of the liver is what is gen- 

 erally spoken of by poultrymen as "liver disease." "Liver dis- 

 ease" as popularly interpreted includes a number of different 

 diseases distinguished by the pathologist. Of these the ones 

 most commonly treated in the diseases of poultry are Conges-- 

 tion of the Liver, Inflammation of the Liver, Atrophy of the 

 Liver, Hypertrophy or Enlargement of the Liver, Fatty Degen- 

 eration of the Liver and Jaundice. 



The diagnosis of these different diseases is based entirely on 

 the post-mortem appearances. In no one of them are there any 

 outward symptoms which distinguish it from the others. "Vale 

 says it is impossible for the most scientific observer to diagnose 

 either inflammation or congestion of the liver with positive cer- 

 tainty. The symptoms are much the same and outwardly are 

 the general symptoms of disease." (Robinson.) 



Further not only the symptoms but also the causes and the 

 treatments of these several diseases are essentially the same. 

 The names of the diseases themselves indicate in a general way 

 the post-mortem appearances. 



For these reasons it seems best to give a brief discussion of 

 the general causes of "liver disease" and the usual treatment. 

 This will be followed by a brief account of each disease and its 

 special symptoms and treatment, if any. 



Cause of Liver Disease. — Lack of exercise and overfeeding, 

 especially with rich albuminous foods, are the most common 

 causes of diseases of the liver. In addition to these Salmon 

 mentions the obstruction of the circulation of the blood by dis- 

 ease of the heart and lungs. Sanborn says that congestion of 

 the liver may be caused by any disease of the crop, gizzard or 

 bowels that obstructs the circulation of the blood. Robinson 

 says : "By far the larger proportion of the cases of liver trouble 

 coming to my notice are accounted for by bad feeding con- 

 ditions." 



Diagnosis of Liver Disease.— "^here are no special external 

 symptoms. Sanborn mentions as early symptoms : "Rough plu- 

 mage, watery diarrhea, first brownish, then yellow ; lack of appe- 



