MEDICAL TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 503 



" as it was, nor is it so difficult of cure. It went on unnoticea, for- 

 " merly, till it had become chronic, and it would not be difficult to 

 " name yards that have now a good reputation, but which, a few 

 " years since, never had a healthy fowl. It is now treated at the 

 '' outset, if seen, but the improved inanagement in most places ren- 

 " ders it of rare occurrence. The cold which precedes it may 

 " often be cured by feeding twice a day with stale crusts of bread 

 " soaked in strong ale. There must be provided warm, dry hous- 

 " ing, cleanliness, nutritive and somewhat stimulating food, and 

 " medicine. In my own case I generally give as medicine some 

 " tincture of iron in the water pans, and some stimulants. The 

 " suspected fowl should be removed directly, and if there be 

 " plenty without it, and if it be not of any breed that makes its pres- 

 " ervation a matter of moment, it should be killed. There is very 

 '' little doubt of a cure if taken in the first stage ; but, if the eye- 

 *■*■ lids be swollen, the nostrils closed, the breathing difficult, and 

 ^' the discharge fetid and continual, it will be a long time before 

 " the bird is well. In this stage it may be termed the consumption 

 " of fowls, and with them, as in human beings, most cases are 

 *' beyond cure. However I may differ from some eminent and 

 " talented amateurs, I do not hesitate to say it is contagious in a 

 " high degree. Where fowls are wasting without apparent dis- 

 " order, a teaspoonful of cod-liver oil per day will be found a most 

 '■'■ efficacious remedy. 



" I will next mention a disease common to chickens at an early 

 *' age — I mean the gapes. These are caused by numerous small 

 " worms in the throat. The best way I know of getting rid of 

 "them is, to take a hen's tail-feather, strip it to within an inch of 

 ^' the end, put it down the chicken's windpipe, twist it sharply 

 " round several times, and draw it quickly out ; the worms will 

 *' be found entangled in the feathers. When this is not effectual 

 " in removing them, if the tip of the feather be dipped in turpen- 

 " tine it will kill them, but it must be put down the windpipe, not 

 '* the gullet. I have always thought these were got from impure 

 "water, and I have been informed by a gentleman who inquires 

 " closely into those things, that having placed some of the worms 



