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Pericarditis of the Fowl
A
VIEW OF THE LABORATORY
"A Poultry Pathological Research Laboratory," by H. P. Hamilton, B.V.Sc. (Toronto), Director. (Pa,l(t 6. )
FOWL SUFFERING FROM
PERICARDITIS
Note enormously enlarged pericardial sac which contained a large quantity of sero-fibrous exudate. "Pericarditis of the Fowl," by K. D. Downham, B. V. Sc.,
M.R.C.V.S., D.V.H.
(Page 44.)
44
THE VETERINARY JOURNAL
Clinical Articles Pericarditis of the Fowl. By K. D. DOWNHAM, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S .. D.V.H., Advisory Veterinary Officer, Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Salop . THE above condition is commonly met with in poultry where large numbers of post-mortems are made. A brief description of this affection may, therefore, be of some value to those who are interested in diseases of the fowl. Inflammation of the pericardium may result from a general blood infection; it may also arise through the spreading of infection from the surrounding parts, or from local irritation. Among the first class of cases, leukremia, gout, and rheumatic conditions generally, appear to be the most frequent causes of the disease as it affects the fowl. It is commonly seen in birds suffering from nephritis, avian tuberculosis, septicremia, and in many toxremic conditions. When the disease arises from local causes, neoplasms are most frequently responsible. In pericarditis arising from a general blood infection, the first noticeable change of the pericardium is its increased vascularity : the smooth glossy surface disappears, and it becomes injected with a fine network of blood vessels. Exudation of lymphocytes and fibrin takes place, and these are deposited upon the membrane. The two opposed surfaces of the pericardial sac separate; serum is formed; the fluid is generally amber-coloured, but may be turbid from the accumulation of corpuscles and pus cells. Sometimes a considerable amount of -sero-fibrinous fluid is formed: this separates the two layers of the pericardium, and allows lymph processes to stretch from layer to layer; in time the fluid is absorbed or organisation takes place, and the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium become united with connective tissue. The amount of fibrous tissue laid down varies in different cases: in some birds the p ericardium resembles thick parchment, in others a gelatinous appearance is seen. In avian tuberculosis the tuberculous nodules are found in the organised tissue and upon the original membrane which covers the heart's surface. Cohnheim has shown that the higher the tension in the p ericardium the smaller is the output from the heart . It is observed that birds suffering from pericarditis are generally emaciated or suffering from debility: these conditions are accentuated by the impaired action of the heart. The photograph (see illustration facing p. 6) shows a fowl suffering from pericarditis with effusion. There was a considerable amount of sero-fibrinous fluid present in the heart sac: this is clearly shown in the illustration. In am indebted to Mr. Morley Davies, M.A., of this College, for kindly photographing the specimen.
VIEW OF THE LABORATORY
"A Poultry Pathological Research Laboratory," by H. P. Hamilton, B.V.Sc. (Toronto), Director. (Pa,l(t 6. )
FOWL SUFFERING FROM
PERICARDITIS
Note enormously enlarged pericardial sac which contained a large quantity of sero-fibrous exudate. "Pericarditis of the Fowl," by K. D. Downham, B. V. Sc.,
M.R.C.V.S., D.V.H.
(Page 44.)
44
THE VETERINARY JOURNAL
Clinical Articles Pericarditis of the Fowl. By K. D. DOWNHAM, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S .. D.V.H., Advisory Veterinary Officer, Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Salop . THE above condition is commonly met with in poultry where large numbers of post-mortems are made. A brief description of this affection may, therefore, be of some value to those who are interested in diseases of the fowl. Inflammation of the pericardium may result from a general blood infection; it may also arise through the spreading of infection from the surrounding parts, or from local irritation. Among the first class of cases, leukremia, gout, and rheumatic conditions generally, appear to be the most frequent causes of the disease as it affects the fowl. It is commonly seen in birds suffering from nephritis, avian tuberculosis, septicremia, and in many toxremic conditions. When the disease arises from local causes, neoplasms are most frequently responsible. In pericarditis arising from a general blood infection, the first noticeable change of the pericardium is its increased vascularity : the smooth glossy surface disappears, and it becomes injected with a fine network of blood vessels. Exudation of lymphocytes and fibrin takes place, and these are deposited upon the membrane. The two opposed surfaces of the pericardial sac separate; serum is formed; the fluid is generally amber-coloured, but may be turbid from the accumulation of corpuscles and pus cells. Sometimes a considerable amount of -sero-fibrinous fluid is formed: this separates the two layers of the pericardium, and allows lymph processes to stretch from layer to layer; in time the fluid is absorbed or organisation takes place, and the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium become united with connective tissue. The amount of fibrous tissue laid down varies in different cases: in some birds the p ericardium resembles thick parchment, in others a gelatinous appearance is seen. In avian tuberculosis the tuberculous nodules are found in the organised tissue and upon the original membrane which covers the heart's surface. Cohnheim has shown that the higher the tension in the p ericardium the smaller is the output from the heart . It is observed that birds suffering from pericarditis are generally emaciated or suffering from debility: these conditions are accentuated by the impaired action of the heart. The photograph (see illustration facing p. 6) shows a fowl suffering from pericarditis with effusion. There was a considerable amount of sero-fibrinous fluid present in the heart sac: this is clearly shown in the illustration. In am indebted to Mr. Morley Davies, M.A., of this College, for kindly photographing the specimen.