POULTRY DISEASES 
25 
DISEASES OF THE LIVER 
Reference has been made to diseases of the liver in conjunction with 
other conditions, as fowl cholera, entero-hepatitis, etc. 
FATTY DEGENERATION is a condition in which the true liver tissue 
is replaced by fat. Such a liver may be smaller in size and rather hard in 
texture. 
FATTY INFILTRATION may be healthy or not. In fattening animals 
there is always an excess of fat stored in the liver, which gives it a grayish- 
yellow color and makes it rather soft in texture. When such livers are cut 
through, the knife will have upon it some fatty material. 
CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION.—Congestion may be brought 
about by overfeeding and lack of exercise, or by a defective or weak heart. 
Active congestion and inflammation may be brought about also by tainted 
food or food that is mouldy or fermenting. In the latter case a toxic or poison¬ 
ous substance is given off and on account of the liver being a destroyer of such 
poisons, they are taken there, and an excess amount overwhelms the cells and 
the irritation causes congestion and inflammation. The liver is enlarged and 
dark. The symptoms are not definite but the hen will be off feed and dull. 
The feathers will appear unkept and the hen will remain on the roost or in 
a corner. Give a tablespoonful of olive oil and soft feed. 
RUPTURE of the liver may be caused by a kick or by being stepped upon 
by a large animal, or in case of congested livers, from concussion by the hens 
jumping from high places. 
TUBERCULOSIS.—One case of tuberculosis has come to this laboratory. 
This bird had access to the sputum of a person suffering with the disease. The 
liver was slightly larger than normal and about natural in color. The surface 
was studded with pearl-like nodules from the size of a pin head to a millet 
seed. The tubercles were also scattered over the peritoneum. A microscopic 
examination showed the tubercle bacillus. 
Fig. 25. 
Figure 25.—Abscess in the soft structures between the toes of a hen; a, in¬ 
dicates the opening due to lancing, from which a cheesy-like pus was removed 
with a pus scoop (curette). This abscess was caused by a thorn of a Russian 
thistle penetrating the soft parts. 
