DISEASES OF TURKEYS TREATMENT 379 



Limber Neck. 



This is a paralysis of the muscles of the neck. 



It is caused by absorbing poison from the intestines. The presence of the 

 poison is due to indigestion or worms, or from eating decayed meats 'or moldy 

 feed. 



Symptoms. The muscles of the neck become so relaxed they cannot 

 support the head. 



Treatment. A good cathartic may effect a cure by cleaning out intestines 

 and then removing the cause. 



Give 1 tablespoon ful of castor oil to which 15 drops of turpentine have 

 been added. 



A level teaspoonful of Epsom Salts in 6 of water is fine for limber neck. 



Liver Disease. 



Liver trouble is one of the most common diseases the turkey raiser has to 

 contend with. 



It is usually brought on by indigestion caused by overfeeding. If the 

 digestive organs are overloaded and unable to perform their functions properly, 

 part of the food decays before it has time to digest, and is as dangerous to 

 health as food decayed before being eaten. The impurities or poisonous matter 

 is carried into the blood circulation to various parts of the body. The liver acts 

 as a filter or strainer, and it is here these impurities or microbes find lodging 

 and proceed to develop. 



Symptoms. In old birds symptoms are inactiveness, listlessness, pros- 

 tration, loss of appetite and a rapid loss in weight, accompanied by a yellowish 

 discharge from the bowels. Young turkeys are usually affected when from two 

 to eight months old. Some are taken very suddenly, while others droop around 

 for several days. We have known young turkeys to eat a hearty supper, and 

 to all appearances be in perfect health, the next morning refuse to eat and by 

 night die. Others droop around a day or two. This trouble is not contagious. 

 Turkeys are usually fed in the same manner, but some being stronger than 

 others, are not affected as soon, but keep coming down one after another so that 

 it appears contagious. If in the last stages of this disease a turkey is killed and 

 examined, the liver will be found very much enjarged, and it may be found 

 covered over with round, yellowish, sac-like bunches in which a pasty or cheesy 

 substance is found ; or if the disease is not fully developed, these sacs will con- 

 tain a transparent liquid. 



Treatment. There are very few remedies for this trouble after it gets 

 a start. 



Preventive Treatment. A good preventive is to take a gallon of wheat 

 pour 5 or 6 tablespoonfuls of turpentine over it and over all pour boiling water 

 and let stand over night. In the morning feed to the turkeys. Give wheat 

 treated in this way once or twice a week. Turkeys should not be pampered or 

 fed with unnatural food. Remember that it is natural for them to run about 

 here and there seeking bugs, seeds, etc., getting plenty of exercise, as well as 



