DISEASES AND CURES. 187 



in, which will keep them perfectly free from all parasites ; a very 

 sparing application of white precipitate powder, applied through 

 the feathers, with a camel hair brush, has been found effectual, 



MOULTING, 



Although it cannot be properly denominated a disease, still some 

 attention is necessary in giving care to your poultry during that 

 period, particularly if it advances into the cold or damp season, 

 so as to have them warmly and drily kept, and well fed with 

 stimulating food hemp-seed, sun-flower seed, carraway-seed, 

 and a small quantity of black or red pepper ; the more warmly 

 or comfortably kept, the quicker the moult. Old fowls moult 

 late, and consequently, do not lay till advanced in the summer ; 

 while early pullets will moult early, and lay all the winter, if 

 warmly kept and well fed. Fowls occasionally make the appear- 

 ance of losing their feathers, before the actual moult, and appear 

 miserably naked. The remedy is, keep them comfortable, and 

 when the moult comes on, their proper clothing will be resumed 

 in their new coat. A want of feathers is sometimes effected by 

 the fowl picking the young or bleeding feathers from their 

 fellows, which they get so much attached to, that they continue 

 to pilfer each succeeding young feather, until they cause such 

 inflammation, as death, in some cases, will ensue. The remedy 

 is, separate such fowl, until the feathers come to maturity, 

 when they will discontinue to pull them out. 



Is a disease which requires particular attention. It is an in- 

 flammation of the head, and one or both eyes, with sometimes a 

 discharge from the beak and nostrils, arising from bad venti- 

 lation, confinement, filthy water, bad feeding, or damp dwelling ; 

 and if not altered and attended to, at an early period, generally 

 terminates in death ; and if recovered, with the loss of at least 

 one eye. At the advanced stage of the disease, the bird becomes 

 fceted ; and, if much so, there can be little hopes of its recovery. 

 The treatment is the contrary of what has caused the disease, 

 and warmth, with 



2 parts gentian, and 



1 part hydriodate of potash. 



To be made into pills, the size of a pea, and kept in a bottle. 



