POULTRY. 593 



rubbing with strong liniment. If not, it will grow to an abscess which must be opened to 

 the core, and healed up thoroughly afterwards, to save the fowl. But this occasional afflic 

 tion is hardly worth the trouble it costs to cure it; and it can only be remedied so as to 

 restore the afflicted bird to subsequent usefulness by seasonable treatment. 



Rupture of the oviduct, or egg-passage, and enlargement of the lower intestines, either 

 of which causes old fat hens of the heavier varieties to break down behind &quot; frequently, is a 

 difficulty known in the experience of most poultry breeders. As we have elsewhere hinted, 

 this is a vexatious affliction, where the hen is a good one, or a favorite ; and it is hard to 

 manage it successfully toward restoration. The difficulty may be alleviated, but it can 

 scarcely be cured; since the occasion of the bagging down of the abdominal extremity of 

 the bird is a gradual falling of the over-grown and over-fattened interior, which from its 

 excessive weight and enlargement distends the parts outside of the cloaca, unnaturally; from 

 which distention it rarely, if ever, contracts to its original shape again. The remedy for 

 relief in this case, is to place the fowl at once upon extreme low diet; and first to starve off 

 and reduce the excessive overgrowth of internal fat which has filled up the lower abdomen. 

 After a few weeks the hen will resume her wonted uprightness in gait and appearance, and 

 may come round all right again. 



If the cause of her breaking down is not this kind of internal rupture, but proceeds from 

 the accidental breaking of an egg, inwardly as is often the case though the outward 

 indications may be similar, the treatment for this last-mentioned trouble is alluded to in 

 another place. The two difficulties are quite different, in reality, and require altogether 

 different management. &quot;We often see fowls, particularly half -grown birds, that sluggishly 

 mope about, seek the sun s rays, close their eyes dreamily and half open the bill, at every 

 breath they breathe. Otherwise they seem well, and in fair condition. Look to the birds 

 directly, that exhibit these symptoms. If concealed vermin be not at work upon their skin 

 and flesh these indications are tokens of an approaching attack of roup. 



Remove such bird or birds at once from the rest. Give the mustard, ginger, or rhubarb 

 pills, for a day or two. Allow them for three or four days to drink no water that has not a 

 dash of tincture of iron, or cayenne pepper in it. Feed low for a week, keep them dry and 

 Avarm and they will recover. &quot; Scaly leg &quot; is a disorder very unsightly, and afflicts old 

 fowls, chiefly. The disease appears from the surface of the shanks, forms slowly, and is 

 altogether parasitical. If permitted to mature, it grows into rough, greyish-white bunches, 

 and terminates in sores. To cure it, commence early, and first wash the limbs thoroughly, in 

 warm whale oil, or carbolic soap-suds. Then apply sulphur powder mixed with lard, as a 

 salve, for two or three days. Afterwards cleanse, and finish with kerosene, rubbed on with 

 a coarse flannel. The infinitesimal insects are thus destroyed, and the trouble disappears. 



Moulting, or the annual feather-shedding of all birds, is described by some authors as a 

 &quot;disease.&quot; This is but a natural occurrence. Fowls are not &quot;in condition&quot; at this 

 period, but they are not sick in the true interpretation, at such times. They need better 

 care, just then, nevertheless, since this is a critical transition; and good two or three-year old 

 hens, kept for breeding stock, should be especially looked after, judiciously fed, kept away 

 from the annoyance of the males, and they will generally pass through their moulting 

 safely. These accidents or incidents occur in all poultry yards. But where fowls are 

 properly tended, housed, and treated, far less of these complaints are heard, than upon 

 the premises of the careless, indifferent, or reckless breeder. And it will be found by the 

 humane, considerate, and kindly disposed keeper of this useful and interesting class of live 

 stock, that a share of his attention given daily to the condition of his fowls, a watchfulness 

 of their reasonable needs, and an eye open to the probable or possible approach of these 

 troubles, will save him toil and money both, in his fowl-breeding experience. 



The large majority of the ailments of poultry referred to herein are directly traceable 



