248 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



nostrils and slit in the roof of the mouth. Another remedy is sweet oil, 1 oz. ; cam- 

 phor (pulverized), 1 drachm; carbolic acid, 12 drops; mix and inject in nostrils and 

 roof of mouth, twice daily. When the swelling is large and advanced, I lance the part 

 that is most prominent, generally in front of the eyes, in order to get rid of the accumu- 

 lated matter. I then burn the cut with caustic, in order to prevent its healing too 

 quickly, and inject into the cut the vitriol mixture twice daily. I have never had a case 

 of weakness in legs. Signed, U. Bonneville." 



Fatal Results caused by Filthy Water. 



In November, 1893, Mr. M. Cowley wrote that a disease was carrying off a large 

 number of his fowls. The fowls first went lame, their combs wilted, and after hobbling 

 about — going from bad to worse — for a month or five weeks, they died. Upon exami- 

 nation, the livers in most cases were found ulcerated, while in others they looked as if 

 covered with hayseed. All information possible was given. A description of the ail- 

 ment was published in report of last year, and excited great interest, one gentleman 

 writing from British Columbia, that his fowls were similarly affected. A fowl which 

 had died from the disease, was sent to Prof. Wesley Mills, of McGill University, for 

 examination, but no satisfactory results were obtained. Two sick fowls were later sent 

 to the Experimental Farm poultry house, and were put in the hospital for observation, 

 but got better. During the latter part of last summer, a letter was received from Mr. 

 Cowley, saying that his fowls continued to die. He was advised to try camphor in 

 some shape in the event of the ailment being acute dysentery or cholera. On the 10th 

 (December) instant, a letter was received from Mr. Cowley, saying " that since the cold 

 weather had set in, and by the use of considerable alum in the drink water, the fowls 

 had got better. He was positive that the trouble was caused by the fowls drinking 

 manure water from the barn. He had built a new place, and at time of writing there 

 was not the slightest sign of disease." 



There can be no doubt that the filthy water was the cause of the trouble. The 

 ailment ceased when the fowls were removed from the source of it. 



Very like Acute Indigestion. 



On 8th November last, the following letter was received : — 



" Vankleek Hill, 7th November, 1894. 



" Dear Sir, — We have disease among our chickens. The combs of the sick turn 

 black, and death is quick. The crops seem full of undigested grain. We lose five or 

 six every day. I have a flock of eighty extra fine Bronze turkeys, and I would not like 

 to lose any of them. The old fowls do not seem to take it. Signed, John M. Barton." 



Mr. Barton was written to, and asked to give further particulars as to diet, how 

 housed, &c, and told that the case from description seemed to be one of acute indi- 

 gestion. A reply was received that the food had been wheat broken up, boiled potatoes 

 and provender, and a little corn. The house had four compartments. Some Leghorns 

 away from the rest had got the disease. Mr. Barton inclosed a clipping from an agri- 

 cultural paper on " Black Head," by H. S. Babcock, the well-known writer on poultry 

 subjects. Mr. Babcock was immediately written to, and the clipping and Mr. Barton's 

 letters inclosed to him. As the case was an important one, it may be advisable to give 

 Mr. Babcock's letter, as follows : — 



" Providence, R.I., U. S. A., 16th November, 1894. 



"Dear Sir, — From the incomplete statement of symptoms of disease affecting Mr. 

 Barton's fowls, it is hard to state decisively what it is. I suspect from the rapid action 

 of the ailment and the few symptoms given, that it is acute indigestion or cholera. If 

 it were cholera, there would be likelihood of the old fowls taking it. The black head 



