62 THE POULTRY DOCTOR. 



passage from the crop to the gizzard may be clogged 

 with long dry grass, old rags, or other substances. The 

 hen ruffles her feathers, throws her head back and her 

 crop feels packed ready to burst. Fasting and gentle 

 manipulation generally cures. Nux vomica or Arseni- 

 cum will aid in giving relief. Some breeders as a last 

 resort cut the crop a little with a very sharp knife, with- 

 draw the food and sew up the wound with a silk thread. 

 In the latter case anoint the cut with Calendula cerate, 

 or, if that is not at hand, with Arnica and water. 



Swelled Head. 



From some cause not clear, the heads of hens will 

 often swell greatly and be very hot. Exposure to 

 draughts of air, however, is a fruitful cause of both 

 swelled heads and swollen eyes. Spongia has given 

 relief in many cases but Belladonna is the indicated 

 remedy for this trouble ; Bryonia also will relieve. 



Thrush (Aphthae). 



Consists of small vesicles or white specks on the mem- 

 brane of mouth, tongue, etc. There are several remedies 

 for this condition of sore mouth or Stomatitis ; among 

 them may be named in their order: Nitric acid if there 

 is a general yellowish appearance; Mercurius viv. if 



