GENERAL DISEASES 157 
were taken, the parents thus robbed of their young, would develop 
the same trouble. If such a procedure is not possible, the sick ones 
should be isolated without food. They may be allowed water slightly 
acidulated with vinegar. If abscess-like lesions occur on the breast 
they should be opened. 
GASTRITIS 
Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pro- 
ventriculus or first stomach. It may result from digestive disturb- 
ances but is generally associated with the presence of strong irritants 
such as certain mineral poisons, or with infectious diseases of a 
septicemic type. Inflammation of the crop may extend to the pro- 
ventriculus. In itself, it is not of great importance. 
Symptoms. The diagnosis of gastritis is difficult. If no symp- 
toms of disease are noticed other than a loss of appetite and a slug- 
gish appearance, simple gastritis may be suspected. When associated 
with other diseases the symptoms which accompany these will be 
observed. 
Treatment. The affected fowl should be given 2 teaspoonfuls of 
castor oil to which 10 drops of oil of turpentine have been added. 
Feed lightly for a time. Buttermilk or sour milk may be freely 
given. Give 30 drops of tincture of gentian twice daily. 
‘ INDIGESTION 
Mégnin distinguishes four sorts of indigestion in birds. It may 
result from lack of quality or appropriate volume of food or by 
ingestion of foreign bodies. Thus pigeons which naturally are 
granivorous will suffer if circumstances necessitate their consum- 
ing herbage. Birds in zoological gardens are liable to suffer from 
lack of appropriate food. Storks, herons, swans, geese and ducks 
in the winter and spring failing to obtain their natural food such as 
molluses, slugs, ete., attempt to cheat the appetite with plants or 
aquatic mosses. These materials are to them true foreign bodies 
which cause fatal indigestion. It is the same in the case of the 
small insectivorous or semi-insectivorous birds. When it is at- 
tempted to feed them exclusively on grains or vegetable mashes they 
succumb to the diet. 
Grains too large for the digestive organs of a bird act like a for- 
eign body and cause fatal indigestion. Parroquets and young pheas- 
ants may be killed in this way by grains of maize. 
