158 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
Overloading the digestive organs is a second general cause of indi- 
gestion. Dry grain which is inviting to certain birds like the 
gallinacez is less suitable to others such as palmipeds which are ac- 
customed to soaking their food in water. Thus such birds may 
readily overload their stomachs with dry grain which may swell and 
cause death. 
Indigestion may be caused by lack of silicious gravel in the giz- 
zard. This material is indispensable to granivorous birds to tritu- 
rate the grain in that organ. Omnivorous birds likewise need grit. 
In the absence of such material, trituration is not accomplished and 
grain accumulates in the gizzard. Thus death may be caused by 
indigestion occasioned by repletion, or whole grains may pass into the 
intestine and cause a fatal inflammation. This may occur among a 
large number of birds. The present writers have observed severe 
enteritis in a wild goose occasioned by heavy snowfall and prolonged 
freezing of a pond, which circumstances prevented access to grit. In 
the absence of grit of suitable size, birds will attempt to swallow 
articles entirely too large, with fatal results. 
There is in the opinion of Mégnin, an indigestion resulting from 
lack of food, or disease of hunger. Domesticated birds may acci- 
dentally be deprived of food or may be prevented from eating by 
stronger companions. 
Indigestion in birds is rarely recognized during life and is only 
encountered at autopsy. That caused by overloading may be recog- 
nized and treated with a little olive oil. Prevention along the line 
of providing suitable food and grit must be relied upon chiefly. 
INDIGESTION IN PARROTS 
The affection may result from a variety of causes such as improper 
feeding and failure to provide grit which impairs the natural. 
function of the gizzard. The affected bird yawns, displays loss of 
appetite and occasionally manifests nervous symptoms. Correction 
of feeding is of first importance. Castor oil in a dose of from 5 to 
10 minims may be administered. Bicarbonate of soda in 5 grain 
doses may be given in the drinking water for several days. Nux 
vomica is indicated. . 
ENTERITIS 
Enteritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the in- 
testine. It is perhaps the most common symptom observed in con- 
nection with poultry diseases. 
