DISEASES OF CHICKENS TREATMENT 337 



tending from the air tubes to the lungs or from the gullet to the crop. The 

 poison which is produced by the growth of the microbe beneath the false 

 membranes is absorbed and affects the nervous system causing depression 

 and sleepiness. At this time, which may be three to five days from the ap- 

 pearance of the first symptoms, the condition is very serious. The breathing 

 is so obstructed that hardly sufficient air can be inhaled to support 'life. The 

 head is swollen, there is considerable fever and an exhausting diarrhea sets 

 in. There is loss of weight and death soon follows. 



Treatment. The treatment of diphtheria requires much time and pa- 

 tience and unless the fowl is valuable, does not pay. It is better to kill and 

 burn those affected, disinfect the houses and in that way stop the contagion 

 as soon as possible, even if the whole flock must go. If the birds are to be 

 treated, remove them from the flock. Make a swab of cotton tied on a stick 

 and swab the mouth with hydrogen peroxide. Remove any of the growths 

 that come away easily. 



A solution which gives good results is 35 grains of chlorate of potash, two 

 grains of salicylic acid in one ounce of water and 1 ounce of glycerine. This 

 to be applied to the spots three or four times daily. 



A solution consisting of one and one-half ounces boric acid and one 

 ounce of powdered borax dissolved in one quart of water and applied warm, 

 is good. The two last mentioned solutions may be used as an eye wash or in- 

 jected in the nostrils. Disinfect the rooms where the sick birds stay daily with 

 a 5 percent solution of cresol or carbolic acid. 



Diseases of the Liver. 



The liver is affected by several diseases. The most common are con- 

 nected with digestive disorders. Others are due to a specific disease such as 

 tuberculosis or coccidiosis. 



The diseases which are due to indigestion are congestion, inflammation, 

 fatty or enlarged liver and atrophy of the liver. While there is a distinct dif- 

 ference in these diseases, the methods of treatment are very much the same. 



Wrong feeding is usually the cause of this trouble. The fowls may be 

 eating too much heat-producing food and not enough green food. 



Symptoms. The first symptoms are a watery diarrhea. The affected 

 birds show no appetite and lack ambition to move around. Later there is an 

 increased desire for water and the fowls lose weight rapidly. 



Treatment. The return to rational food is the first step. Give more green 

 food. Make the mash as largely to cut clover as the birds will eat. Drop out 

 some of the flour and corn meal. Encourage exercise. Give as scratching 

 material waste from hay mows. If it is warm weather, give the birds access 

 to a clean grass run. 



At the first appearance of liver trouble, give a teaspoonful of castor oil. 

 This will be effective if given in time. 



For worms, add one-half teaspoonful of sulphate of magnesia to the drink- 

 ing water of each bird. 



