Cause. It is difficult to discover a cause; intestinal worms are suspected in some cases.
Treatment. If it is suspected that intestinal worms are responsible, try the treatment recommended for worms. (See page 95.)
FATTY DEGENERATION
Not contagious, but pointing to error in diet
Symptoms. More or less sudden deaths of birds in good condition. Post-mortem examination shows an enlarged liver and masses of fat attached to the intestines.
Cause. Something wrong with the diet; too much heat-giving food and want of exercise.
Treatment. Post-mortem proof of fatty degeneration in the flock should lead the poultry owner to change the diet, reducing the amount of heat-giving food, and giving more exercise. Some authors draw attention to a fatty degeneration in which the liver is shrunken and shows fat globules under the microscope.
FAVUS (WHITE COMB)
Disfiguring, but easily controlled if treated early
Symptoms. Whitish scabs or crusts on the comb, the head and down the neck.
Cause. Due to a fungus that spreads, if not treated, and that probably starts where there is an abrasion of the skin.
Treatment. Treat in early stages of the disease by dressing with sulphur ointment. (See page 9.) Isolate bird. If the case has been neglected and allowed to develop, the crusts must first be moistened with oil and the surface scraped off with a blunt instrument. Then apply tincture of iodine or nitrate of silver.