DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 101 



small pearl-like nodules throughout the lung of 

 one of the ducks, as shown in Fig. 37. Both 

 showed ulcerations of the mucous membrane of the 

 intestinal tract. These ulcerations were numer- 

 ous, as many as eight or ten in each bird, and 

 extended the entire length of the intestines. Fig. 

 38 illustrates this condition. Upon microscopic 

 examination of these lesions, as well as of the lung 

 nodules, coccidia were noted which resembled the 

 Coccidium tenellum, one of the specific causes of 

 white diarrhea in chicks. 



Other Diseases of the Intestinal Tract 



Arsenical Poisoning.— Arsenical poisoning may 

 occur from the birds drinking spray mixtures con- 

 taining paris green or other arsenical compounds, 

 from eating rat poison, etc. Cases have been 

 brought to our attention where birds had been 

 poisoned by eating grasshoppers. The grass- 

 hoppers had been given arsenic in bran, and the 

 birds, devouring large numbers of them, became 

 ill, and many of them died. 



Symptoms.— IjOss of appetite, black comb, dull- 

 ness, sitting, moping and unsteady gait, increasing 

 weakness, and death. Judging from the effect of 

 poisonous doses of arsenic on higher animals, the 

 poisoned birds must have been in considerable 

 pain, but they did not show it ; birds do not man- 

 ifest pain as animals do. 



Autopsy. — The liver was normal, except that it 

 was a trifle dark in color. There were no notice- 

 able changes in the other abdominal organs, ex- 

 cept the intestinal tract. Upon opening the in- 

 testines there were noted patches of hemorrhage 

 and areas of congestion and inflammation. 



Treatment. — This is scarcely worth while. De- 



