750 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



are softened and may be pressed toward the head. This is made easier 

 by holding the bird head downward. By continued manipulation the 

 greater part of the material may be removed. The bird should not be 

 permitted to eat for several hours after it is relieved. 



If this plan of treatment is not successful, the crop must be opened 

 with a sharp knife and the contents removed through the opening, using 

 for this purpose a coffee spoon, a button hook, small forceps, a bent wire, 

 or other suitable instrument. After this is done, wash out the crop 

 with clean, warm water. The opening should not be over an inch in 

 length and should be closed with 3 or 4 stitches first in the wall of the 

 crop and when this is finished an equal number in the skin. Each 

 stitch should be made and tied separately. Coarse white silk is the 

 best material, but if it is not at hand ordinary cotton thread may be 

 used. 



Feed on milk and raw egg beaten together for a day or two, and 

 gradually change to soft mash. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH OR INTESTINES. 



This trouble, when not the result of one of the contagious diseases to 

 which reference has been made, is generally due to eating moldy or 

 putrid food or irritating mineral poisons. It is indicated by loss of 

 appetite, dullness, and constipation or diarrhea. It may be treated by 

 giving 30 or 40 grains of Epsom salts or 2 teaspoonfuls of castor oil, 

 and feeding a soft mash for a day or two. 



LIMBEENECK. 



The condition known as "limberneck" is in reality not a disease but 

 is a symptom of several diseases which are characterized by a paralysis 

 of the muscles of the neck, which makes it impossible for the bird to 

 raise its head from the ground. This condition is due to the absorption 

 of poisons from the intestines, which act upon the nervous system and 

 cause paralysis. It is generally associated with indigestion, or the eat- 

 ing of moldy grain or putrid meat or with intestinal worms. The best 

 treatment is to give a full dose of purgative medicine; that is, 50 or 60 

 grains of Epsom salts or 3 or 4 teaspoonfuls of castor oil for a grown 

 fowl. Often the birds will be cured within 24 hours, and in case they 

 are not better within 3 or 4 days it is not advisable to keep them. 



LIVER DISEASE. 



When not produced as the result of one of the contagious diseases 

 described elsewhere, liver disease is generally caused by errors of feed- 

 ing and lack of excercise. It can not certainly be distinguished from 

 other forms of disease during the life of the bird. When examined 

 after death the liver is found enlarged and so tender that it is easily 

 torn. If it is suspected that other birds in the flock are similarly 

 affected, correct the ration, give plenty of green feed, and encourage 

 exercise in the open air. 



