156 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
the beak or from the nostrils. Without treatment the strength of the 
subject fails rapidly. 
When the disease has existed for some time in a chronic mild form 
it may assume the condition designated hanging crop. In such cases 
the musculature of the crop has been overstretched, so that after 
recovery from the catarrh, the organ does not return to its normal 
position. 
Treatment. This consists of the removal of the contents of the 
crop as soon as symptoms are noticed. If the contents are soft the 
fowl may be held head downward and the crop manipulated in such 
a manner that the material will be passed back through the esophagus 
to the mouth. This is relatively easy owing to the large diameter of 
the esophagus of fowls. Should the crop contents be hard or dry 
they may be softened by giving the bird several teaspoonfuls of water 
before attempting to remove the material. When the crop is empty, 
administer 1 teaspoonful of castor oil. Feed should be withheld for 
about 24 hours, but buttermilk, or sour milk may be freely given 
together with water. A small amount of bicarbonate of soda may 
be administered and the bird should have access to charcoal in case 
fermentation is noticeable. Fowls showing frequent attacks or 
chronic catarrh of the crop should not be retained. 
IMPACTION OF THE CROP 
Feeding with dry grains such as corn, peas, oats, or with bran 
may cause a distention of the crop. Various foreign bodies may 
cause the same condition. The enlargement of the organ will first 
attract attention. If not remedied, the condition will cause death 
of fowls in a few days, and in waterfowl in a few hours, because 
of pressure on the trachea. Massage may permit the removal of ma- 
terial through the beak, but usually incision of the crop is indicated. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE CROP IN PIGEONS 
The crop of the pigeon secretes a milk-like fluid for the nourish- 
ment of the young. If the parent birds lose their young while the 
crop is secreting this fluid, an inflammation of the crop glands 
frequently results and the organ feels hard and solid. The disease 
may be quickly remedied by substituting another squab. Only one 
should be substituted for often pigeons will not adopt two young 
ones, but kill them and throw them out of the nest. Besides, if two 
