OVIDUCT, DISEASES OF
Abnormal eggs must be regarded as due to functional disorders of the oviduct. One cause of soft eggs is lack of shell-forming material; therefore a liberal supply of powdered oyster shells, or lime in some other form, should always be accessible to laying hens. Other abnormal eggs occur, such as those with double yolks, without any yolk, with blood clots, etc. No treatment can be suggested beyond feeding a varied diet and avoiding too stimulating or over-heating foods.
Prolapse of the oviduct may occur. The protruding portion should be oiled or vaselined and gently pressed back.
PERITONITIS
Not common and not contagious
Symptoms. Loss of appetite, fever and evidence of discomfort and pain in the stomach, especially if the abdomen is pressed with the hand. Post-mortem examination shows inflamed appearance of membrane of the abdominal cavity.
Fig. 18.—Organs of Reproduction of the Hen (From Salmon.)
a. Undeveloped ovules in ovary.
b. Partly developed ovule showing stigma. Here the follicle wall breaks and allows the ovule yolk to leave the ovary preparatory to laying.
c. An empty follicle in which the stigma and the yolk passed out.
d. Opening of oviduct.
e. Portion of oviduct distended, allowing yolk to pass down.
f. Walls of oviduct which secrete albumen forming the white of the egg.
g. Membranous lining added.
h. Portion of oviduct that secretes shell-forming substance.
i. Cloaca.
Cause. Serious inflammation of the wall of the abdominal cavity.
Treatment. Put the bird in a quiet place. Aconite (see page 9), to reduce the temperature, and opium, or one drop of laudanum, to relieve pain, have been recommended, but as a rule it is best to kill the bird.
PIP
Generally the effect of some other disorder
Symptoms. A hardened scale formed at tip of tongue.
Cause. Generally due to cold or other disorder affecting the breathing of the bird.
Treatment. Do not try to tear off the growth on the tongue by force, but moisten with vaseline or glycerin until it becomes loose. Give soft food.
PNEUMONIA AND CONGESTION OF LUNGS
Generally fatal
Symptoms. Extreme depression and great difficulty in breathing. Difficult to distinguish in the living bird from a very bad cold. Post-mortem examination shows the affected lung filled with an exudate. The lung sinks if put in water.
Cause. Following on a cold, the lung becomes congested with blood and a dark, viscous matter. Pneumonia may be considered a further, and generally final, stage of congestion.
Treatment. A cure is seldom effected, but in the case of a valuable bird the following treatment may be tried Keep the bird in a dry, warm place; paint the skin above the lungs with tincture of iodine; give aconite. Feed on soft food and give a stimulant.