THE ABDOMEN 



THE DISEASES OF THE EGG ORGANS 



THE CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF EGG-BOUND 

 INFLAMMATION OF EGG PASSAGE— SOFT-SHELLED 

 EGGS— P E R I T O N I T I S— BREAK-DOWN— DROPSY 



DR. N. W. SANBORN 



EGG- BOUND may be due directly to the condition of the egg passage 

 or to some more remote cause. There are more deaths from this 

 trouble in late winter than in all the rest of the year. This is large- 

 ly owing to an over-fat condition of the entire system, in which 

 the egg passage is pressed upon by the accumulation of fat about it, hinder- 

 ing the passage of the egg. Egg-bound is most common in sluggish birds 

 or those closely confined without opportunity to exercise. Active fowls, 

 such as Leghorns, seldom take life easy enough to get fat, hence are not sub- 

 ject to this disease. 



Not only are there large collections of fat in the abdominal cavity, 

 but much of the muscular tissue is replaced by streaks of fat. This weak- 

 ens the muscles of the egg passage, so that between the extra straining and 

 the weak walls it gives way, allowing the egg or its contents to pass into the 

 abdominal cavity. The presence of a foreign body excites inflammation 

 and peritonitis follows. 



This same egg-bound condition may cause- death from heart disease. 

 The bird goes on the nest to lay. It strains violently to pass the egg. The 

 heart muscles, in common with the general muscular condition, are decidedly 

 weak from fatty degeneration. The extra exertion is too much for the 

 weakened heart, and it gives out, the bird being found on the nest dead. 



Even the collection of fat at the lower end of the abdominal cavity 

 is sometimes sufficient to prevent the passage of the egg. Over-fat hens 

 are inclined to lay double yolk eggs, and the extra size adds to the difficulty 

 in the passing the egg. Then there are cases where an egg gets broken on its 

 passage through the oviduct, obstructing the passage of eggs following the 

 broken one. 



Sometimes pullets are egg-bound for a few days when trying to pass 

 their first egg, but these cases commonly adjust themselves after a short 

 time. 



Symptoms 



The hen moves about, without apparent cause, going at times to the 

 nest, but without dropping an egg. The tail feathers are lowered, look- 



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