Post-mortem. In one form of this disease, known as visceral gout, the liver and other abdominal organs are covered over with a powder-like deposit of the crystals of urate of soda.
HEART DISEASES
Not common, and cannot be treated
The heart is an organ that is subject to several serious diseases, but these cannot be detected with any certainty while the bird is living, and treatment cannot be recommended as likely to be successful. Post-mortem examination may show the following symptoms:
1. The heart sac full of serous liquid, in the case of pericarditis, or dropsy of the heart sac.
2. A reddening of the membrane lining the heart, in the case of inflammation (endocarditis).
3. An enlarged heart, in the case of enlargement of the heart.
4. Hemorrhage, in the case of rupture of the heart and of the blood vessels.
INDIGESTION
Disorder of the intestinal tract, that is not very serious
Symptoms. The bird mopes and shows signs of a capricious appetite. Either diarrhea or, less commonly, constipation, may be a symptom.
Cause. Disorders of the digestive tract, due to error in dieting—for example, overfeeding, or too little green food and not enough exercise.