396 ApHcuUural Gazptfp of N.S. W. \Muii 2. 1908. 



tV "'f <'i .uraiii. The above f(uantitv will iii.ikc a (Id/cii pills, one of which 

 should l)c niscn cacli ilav. The fowls slioiild he kept in a di'V jilacf, ami 

 allowed to rest on soft hay or straw. 



CraiM|), another form of leg-weakness, (hie to defeetiNc circulation, and 

 brought aljout in the same way as ilieuniatisiu — liy damp, and want of 

 exercise. It is not a ditlicult matter to distinguish cramp from k'g- weakness, 

 because, in cases of ci'amp, the toes are usually affected, being turned in ; 

 and not only so, but ti('([uentlv' a lunnber of the chick(iis or ducklings will 

 go wrong because the same cause alt'ects inoreJ;lian one. On the other liaml, 

 in the case of leg-weakness, as a rule, a singli' bird here and there goes 

 wi'ong. Tt ought not, therefore, to be ditlicult to distinguish between cramp 

 and leg-weakness. The remedy for ciamp is to use a stimulating liniment, 

 and to keep the afllected bird in some ^jlace where it will be warm and dry 

 until it recovers. 



An American writer says leg-weakness is caused by pushing foi- growth, 

 by feeding too much for growth, therebv increasing the weight of the body 

 beyond the ability of the legs to su])port it. 



If the birds are getting into condition they move slowly, and the limbs 

 .slightly shake. In a week's time they can scarcely keep on their legs, and 

 w hen feeding will sit down so that the body nearly touches the ground. The 

 bird otherwise appears to be healthy : the feathers bright, the eye clear, and 

 the appetite is good. As the days pass he loses his desire for food, and 

 becomes thin. XW causes of trouble should be removed. 8pice, corn and corn- 

 meal, buckwdieat, and rye should not be given to such birds. A grass I'un, with 

 shade and cool water, will help to cure, wdiile one-tenth of a grain of tiuinine 

 gi\eJi to each bird with leg-weakness will generally bring it to health again. 



Professor Woodroffe Hill says: — "Leg-weakness is occasionally constitu- 

 tional, and in such cases is manifested in very young chickens. It has also 

 been observed in the latter when they have been kept on boarded floors 'or 

 any length of time." Ti eatinent. — A careful attention to the diet should be 

 obsei'ved ; the food .should be nutritious, without being stimulating or fatten- 

 ing. If the bird treated has been forced, and is heavy in body, it is better to 

 reduce the weight by allowing less food and the a(hninistrati<in of an 

 aperient. Salts of iron and phosphate of lime are useful niechcinally, also 

 bone-meal. Friction to the legs, using a mild liniment, is sometimes serviceable 

 in ])romoting circulation, which becomes retarded, and relieving cramp, owing 

 to the want of exercise and continued tlexed position of the lind)s. 



Frank Townend Barton, First-class Honorinan, Royal College of \'eterinary 

 Surgeons, London, says : — "Leg-weakness is essentially a disease of youth, and 

 caused by any condition winch interferes with the propei' de\elopinent of the 

 binl, such as improper food, defective supjjly of bone-forming n^aterial.---, or 

 l)ad surroundings." Treatment. — Careful attention to the food : allow a free 

 supply of lime and green food. The following |)ills w ill bo found useful : — 

 Carbonate of iron, 4S grains ; chloride of calcium, '1\ grains ; ])hosphorus, \ 

 grain; extract of Indian hemp, ."i grains : stiychnine, \ grain. Mix thoroughly 

 and make tS pills. Give one twice daily after feeding. 



