36 LEHMAN'S POULTRY DOCTOR. 



These drugs should be given in a little soft feed or 

 out of a spoon, mixed with a little slippery elm or flax- 

 seed water. 



After the diarrhoea is checked and there are no more 

 bloody evacuations, a few drops of tincture gentian 

 should be given three times a day and a dram or two 

 of sulphate of iron dissolved in each quart of drinking 

 water. 



When the trouble is due to poisons or irritants, the 

 cause must be removed at once and demulcent drinks, 

 such as flaxseed or slippery elm tea should be given 

 with stimulants, such as coffee and a little brandy. 



CONSTIPATION. 



Constipation is dryness and accumulation of the con- 

 tents of the intestines and may lead to total obstruc- 

 tion of the bowels. 



Causes: Constipation may be due to the bird eat- 

 ing dry astringent food, as broken acorns, cheese, 

 etc., or it may follow diarrhoea or intestinal catarrh, 

 because of the mucous lining of the intestines being 

 irritated and therefore not secreting the normal 

 amount of fluids, or, in those bowel disorders, the 

 feathers often become so firmly matted together that 

 the anus becomes obstructed and defecation becomes 

 painful or impossible. 



Accumulation of egg matter in the oviduct, from 

 broken eggs, may also cause filling up of indigestible 

 matter in Uie bowels by pressing upon and obstructing 

 the cloaca. . 



