GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH, ETC., OF POULTRY. I39 



powder (the dose is 0.5 to 2 grammes) or root of ipecac (1 to 3 

 grammes) ; we might avoid this inconvenience by giving clysters 

 with the decoction or infiisiou of white hellebore (2 grammes in 50 

 grammes of water). 



If there is any constipation it is advisable to prescribe calomel 

 (1 to 4 grammes), and give repeated clysters. Diarrhea may be 

 opposed by various styptics and opium (1 to 2 grammes). 



Finally, the animals must be subjected to diet (complete absti- 

 nence), or they must be given liquid and cooling nourishment (milk, 

 farinaceous driuks, soups, etc.). 



GASTRO-INTBSTINAL CATARRH, CONSTIPATION, 

 AND DIARRHEA OP POULTRY. 



In order to describe these three morbid conditions we have drawn 

 a great deal from Ziirn's work. 



1. The common gastro-intestinal catarrh and diar- 

 RHEA of poultry must be distinguished from infectious diseases 

 accompanying diarrhea, especially chicken cholera and intestinal 

 tuberculosis ; they must not be mistaken for certain intense inflam- 

 mations of a toxic nature. We find them as a rule in subjects of 

 improved or imported races, in the spring, and during the moulting 

 period of young birds. 



Etiology. Among the causes that are responsible for this con- 

 dition may be mentioned overloading of the stomach, ingestion of 

 heavy or tainted food, cold, damp coops, and ice-water. The diar- 

 rhea is sometimes symptomatic of helminthiasis. 



Symptoms. The principal symptoms are inappétence, erectness 

 of the feathers, depression and the downcast condition of the birds; 

 ^Iso paresis of the crop, which is voluminous and empties slowly ; 

 the expulsion of soft, clay-like, whitish excrements, which become 

 gradually more liquid — greenish — and are irritating to the neigh- 

 borhood of the cloaca and to this organ itself, the mucous mem- 

 brane of which becomes inflamed ; the feathers surrounding it 

 are stuck or glued together ; the thirst is increased, the weakness 

 and emaciation are accentuated, and the diarrhea becomes more aud 

 more liquid. Soon death occurs from exhaustion or from intestinal 

 hemorrhage. 



In an autopsy we find the alterations of desquamative catarrh, 

 redness, tumefaction, epithelial degeneration ; or those of enteritis. 



