GENERAL DISEASES 173 
Treatment. The removal of the yolk masses is easily accom- 
plished by an incision through the abdominal wall once the nature 
of the affection has been determined by digital exploration. As a 
rule the presence of aborted egg material is not suspected during the 
life of the fowl and treatment is therefore not practiced. It is also 
apparent that treatment to be effective would require the correction 
of the factors which lead to the misplacement of the ova. The ob- 
scure nature of these renders attempts at their control impractical. 
DROOPING ABDOMEN 
In the heavy breeds, especially, the abdomen may show a tend- 
ency to assume a pendant position, frequently coming into contact 
with the ground when the bird is in a standing position. The skin 
of the abdomen may be devoid of feathers, and usually shows a 
reddened appearance. This is often due to a marked accumulation 
of fat in the abdominal wall and visceral organs. More often it 
results from a displacement of the gizzard. This organ, owing to an 
elongation of the proventriculus or true stomach, is carried back- 
ward and instead of resting in its normal position on the posterior 
floor of the sternum, takes up a position on the much less resistant 
membranous wall of the abdomen. As a result of its weight and 
muscular activity in a cavity already overfilled with distended in- 
testines and accumulated fat it forces the inferior abdominal wall 
into a drooping or dragging position. The abnormal position of the 
gizzard may be detected by palpation of the parts immediately 
behind the sternum where the outline of the dense muscular organ 
can easily be followed. 
Treatment consists of the restriction of fat forming foods in 
the diet. It is inadvisable to use birds showing this condition for 
breeding purposes, since the evident tendency to lack ‘of tone and 
resistance in the parts concerned would be perpetuated to a greater 
or less extent in the progeny. 
ASCITES (DROPSY) 
Characterization. This condition consists of an accumulation 
of fluid in the peritoneal cavity or abdomen. 
Etiology. No one specific causative agent is responsible. The 
accumulation of fluid results from a filtration of blood serum 
through the serous membranes of the intestine, or the peritoneal 
covering of the abdominal cavity or paryenchymatous organs. It 
