GENERAL DISEASES 159 
Etiology. Enteritis is associated with a large number of impor- 
tant diseases. It varies in the intensity of the inflammation with 
different affections. In fowl cholera, fowl plague and several other 
septicemias the inflammation is very severe, while in fowl typhoid 
and infectious leukemia the mucous membrane may show little or no 
congestion. Enteritis is associated with such protozoal diseases as 
coccidicsis and infectious entero-hepatitis, and with intestinal worm 
infestation. 
Mineral poisons may set up an inflammatory ae as may 
also moldy or putrid food. 
In birds deprived of grit, the food passes from the gizzard with- 
out being triturated and causes severe enteritis with hemorrhage into 
the lumen of the intestine. 
Symptoms. The most prominent symptom of enteritis is diar- 
rhea. The droppings may be watery or semi-solid. The color 
varies according to the particular disease which is present. It may 
be white, brownish, greenish, yellowish or mixed in color. The fowl 
displays a loss of appetite in the more severe forms of enteritis, be- 
comes droopy, weak and somnolent. Paralysis of the legs frequently 
occurs in connection with inflammations of the intestine. Unusual 
thirst is often in evidence. 
Treatment. As enteritis is usually associated with some more 
important disease, the disease should be properly diagnosed and 
treated. Simple enteritis due to minor causes may be treated by. re- 
moving the irritating substances from the intestinal tract by means 
of a purgative such as castor oil in 2 teaspoonful doses or Epsom salts 
in 43 to % teaspoonful doses. A tonic consisting of powdered gentian 
1 dram, powdered ginger 1 dram and powdered sulphate of iron 15 
grains may be given. Mix 4 teaspoonful in the feed twice daily. 
The water for the entire flock may be made antiseptic by the addition 
of % oz. of carbclic acid to the gallon of water. This will tend to 
prevent the spread of infection to others of the flock in the event that 
the affected bird or birds are harboring an infectious disease. The 
carbclic acid treatment may be discontinued after a few days in the 
event that no more fowls are attacked. 
SIMPLE DIARRHEA 
' Fowls are sometimes affected by a diarrhea which is not appar- 
ently asscciated with one of the more important diseases. A watery 
or semi-fluid discharge may result from an irritation or derangement 
