26 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
Peritoneal and other attachments are cleared away with the knife 
as the inferior body wall is being removed. 
Before removing any of the organs a general survey of the parts 
may reveal one of the following conditions: The presence of fluid 
in the abdominal cavity, which would be suggestive of peritonitis 
or enteritis; the presence of blood clots in either cavity indicating 
internal hemorrhage; yolk concretions or other egg material free in 
the abdominal cavity of females; tubercular masses on the intestine, 
liver or spleen; tumors in the various organs; or moldy growths 
in the air sacs, indicating aspergillosis. 
The liver is then examined. It may be congested or show small 
necrotic spots in cholera and several bacillary septicemias or be 
pale and enlarged in infectious leukemia and fowl typhoid. In 
tuberculosis fat-like nodules with yellowish centers would be found. 
In entero-hepatitis the areas of necrosis would be yellowish or 
greenish. Various sorts of tumors may be present on the surface of 
the liver. 
The alimentary tract requires a careful examination since many 
of the diseases are manifested by lesions at some point along its 
course. Frequently the congested areas of the mucosa may be de- 
tected through the serous membrane before the intestine is opened. 
It is advisable, however, to lay the whole tract open from the crop 
to the vent. The crop and proventriculus may show congested or 
inflamed areas as a result of the ingestion of strong irritants or 
poisons. The gizzard is relatively free of disease but may contain 
parasitic worms in its wall. The duodenum is often the seat of 
intense inflammation especially in the septicemic diseases such as 
cholera and fowl plague. Coccidia also cause congestion of the 
duodenal mucosa. In infectious entero-hepatitis and coccidiosis the 
ceca are usually distended with necrotic material and the cecal 
walls are ulcerated or desquamated. In enteritis the inflammation 
may involve a considerable portion of the intestinal mucosa and may 
be observed in any part of the small intestine or in the ceca or 
rectum. The cloaca is to be inspected for evidence of vent gleet. 
Intestinal worms may be present in any portion of the intestinal: 
tract. Unless present in comparatively large numbers they should 
not receive special consideration. Round worms may be found 
gathered into large masses which tend to obstruct the passage of the 
contents of the intestine. When numerous they may also produce 
a catarrhal condition of the intestinal mucosa. Some tapeworms 
