Poultry Problems and Profits. 441 



Blackhead — Blackhead was first noticed in New England, 

 where it caused great loss to turkey raisers. It is described as a 

 disease which first attacks the cecum, situated between the large 

 and the small intestines. It may also attack the liver, which be- 

 comes very much enlarged. While the disease is generally at- 

 tributed to microbes, it is believed to be very much aggravated 

 where inbreeding is too much resorted to. Diarrhea is a common 

 symptom. The disease takes its name from a peculiar discolora- 

 tion of the head. Birds of depleted vitality are the ones generally 

 attacked, so that the addition of new, strong and healthy stock 

 is recommended. Some have tried introducing wild blood into 

 their flocks. Treatment of sick birds has not proved very success- 

 ful. Among the remedies most recommended are sulphur, sul- 

 phate of iron and quinine. 'Sulphur may be given, 5 to 10 grains 

 being combined with one grain of sulphate of iron; or sulphur, 10 



PEKIN DUCKS ON A MISSOURI FARM. 



grains, sulphate of iron, 1 grain, and sulphate of quinine, 1 grain. 

 It is necessary that such treatment be repeated two or three times 

 a day and continued for a considerable time to obtain results." 



Diarrhea — The first thing in the treatment of diarrhea is to 

 remove the cause, which may be bad feeding, dampness, filth or 

 lice. A remedy often used is a mixture of equal parts of ground 

 ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne pepper. This is mixed into 

 the mashed food, about a level teaspoonful to a dozen birds. Feed- 

 ing boiled rice and a little charcoal may help. Dry food and lime 

 water will also prove beneficial. A form of diarrhea, commonly 

 known as "white diarrhea," is very fatal to young chicks, especially 

 to those hatched in an over-heated incubator. It may also be caused 

 by allowing the chicks to become chilled, by feeding them sloppy 

 food, by poor ventilation, or, perhaps, most of all, by lack of 



