NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 223 



touch the part with stick lunar caustic (nitrate of silver). It is 

 dangerous to use a solution, as in that case, if it be concentrated 

 enough to destroy the causative agent in the ulcer, it is almost 

 certain that some of the liquid will run down onto the mucous 

 membrane of the mouth and throat and destroy healthy tissue. 



Diseases of the Crop.- — Often birds are found to suffer from 

 diseased conditions of the crop. 



Gangrene is sometimes found. Catarrh may also be present, 

 as well as paralysis of its walls. When food accumulates in the 

 crop the contraction of its muscular walls forces it on through 

 to the second portion of the esophagus as it is needed, and from 

 there it passes into the stomach or proventriculus. 



Impaction of the crop is one of the more common affections. 



If the impaction is due to obstruction it may be remedied 

 by an operation. The surgical operation is simple — lay the 

 bird down on its side, have an attendant hold it firmly, or 

 confine it as one would in caponizing. Pluck a few feathers 

 from over the region of the crop. With a sharp knife 

 make an incision about 2 inches long through both the skin 

 and crop wall. Remove the contents of the crop and examine 

 carefully for obstruction at the point of origin of the second 

 portion of the esophagus. One, at times, finds small feathers, 

 hog bristles, or other irregular bodies obstructing the passage. 

 With a needle and white cotton thread suture the wound, 

 passing the needle through the skin and crop wall. It is 

 necessary to have the hands clean by washing them with 

 soap and warm water, and to use an antiseptic, as creolin or 

 carbolic acid, one to two teaspoonfuls to the quart of water. 

 With a small quantity of absorbent cotton dipped into this 

 solution the skin can be disinfected by scrubbing the site of 

 the operation. After the operation do not feed the bird for 

 twenty-four hours, then give a small quantity of bread and 

 milk, the bread being thoroughly soaked in the milk. 



Poisoning. — ^Chickens have suffered from arsenic-poisoning 

 where bran has been soaked with a solution of Paris green, the 

 bran being thrown out in the field for bait to kill grasshoppers. 

 Chickens devouring this poisoned bran become sick an-d many 

 die. 



Salt brine will also kill birds. 



