Molting is not a disease, but may prove trying to poultry not in the best condition to stand the strain of the process. Hens overtaxed with forced laying and cocks running with too large a number of hens are most likely to suffer. Molting occurs in healthy adult birds every twelve months. The process, which is a natural one, should be allowed to take its natural course unless the fowls appear weak and depressed during the period. In such cases specially nourishing and stimulating food should be given. Anyhow, it would be well to pay particular attention to the feeding of birds during the molting season. OVARY DISEASES Hens suffer from various diseases of the ovary, which may become shriveled and useless or gangrenous. Tumorous growths, sometimes called cancers, are also found. As diseased conditions of this organ can be detected only by post-mortem examination, and as no remedies are known, the subject need not be dealt with more fully. 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. [Illustration: 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.