What are the clinical symptoms and necropsy changes of caustic soda poisoning in broiler chicks?

Can caustic soda cause poisoning? Caustic soda, namely NaOH, is a strong alkali and is toxic; ingesting or inhaling it can corrode and burn mucous membranes. Some unscrupulous traders add caustic soda to chili peppers to increase the spiciness; occasionally eating a small amount of such food is not very harmful. If caustic soda is ingested directly, immediately drink vinegar, milk, etc., but do not induce vomiting to prevent secondary burns, and seek medical attention immediately. 

 In broiler chicks with caustic soda poisoning, the birds are listless, with ruffled feathers, have difficulty standing, lie on the ground unable to rise, stretch out the neck and open the beak, and emit weak screeches; some have diarrhea, and some show neurological symptoms, dying shortly afterward.

  Necropsy changes of caustic soda poisoning in broiler chicks: the liver is enlarged, purple on the surface, with scattered hemorrhagic spots; there are hemorrhagic points on the inner and outer membranes of the heart and on the coronary fat; the crop is full of contents, with water and gas; the glandular stomach mucosa sloughs off; the keratinous membrane of the gizzard is dry, with hemorrhagic points beneath the membrane; the duodenal mucosa is severely hemorrhagic; the kidneys are dark red with congested blood clots.