1214 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



precautions as regards cleanliness and disinfection, and to totally destroy 

 the carcasses of dead birds. Droppings should be burned or thoroughly 

 disinfected by mixing with a 10 per cent solution of carbolic acid. Disin- 

 fect the building l)y spraying thoroughly with a 5 per cent solution of 

 carbolic acid, and then whitewash. 



Crop hound. — The crop sometimes becomes overloaded with feed, and 

 its thin muscular walls become distended and partially paralyzed, so that 

 the organ, can not be emptied, or the opening into the lower esophagus 

 may become clogged with a feather, a straw, or some other substance 

 which the bird has swallowed. The crop is greatly distended and the 

 mass of feed is rather hard and firm. In both cases the symptoms are 

 the same and treatment should be conducted on the same principles. For 

 treatment pour one-fourth to one-half ounce of melted lard or sweet oil 

 down the throat and manipulate the contents of the crop with the hand in 

 such a way as to tend to break up the mass. Unless the passage is closed 

 the contents of the crop will usually pass away within a few hours. For 

 a few days feed should be limited in quantity. If the foregoing method 

 is ineffectual and an operation becomes necessary, clip away the feathers 

 from a portion of the crop and with a very sharp knife, lancet, or razor 

 make an incision about one and one-half inches long through the skin 

 and the wall of the crop. Then carefully remove the contents of the crop 

 with the finger, the handle of a spoon, or some other convenient object, 

 and wash out the crop with warm water. Pass the finger, well oiled, into 

 the esophagus to see there is no obstruction. Sew up the wall of the crop 

 fii-st and then the outer skin, using white silk or linen thread, being care- 

 ful not to sew the two membranes together, and in a few days the wound 

 will be healed. Feed sparingly on whole grains until the wound heals, 

 and do not give any water for twenty-four hours. 



Diarrhea. — This is caused by some irritation of the digestive system, 

 and may be due to the quantity of the feed, the quality of the feed or 

 drinking water, or to climatic conditions to which the fowl • has been 

 exposed. There is a general depression, roughness of plumage, and a loss 

 of appetite, and usually frequent expulsion of soft, whitish, yellowish, or 

 greenish excrement, the droppings become more liquid until severe diar- 

 rhea is present. When the affection is at all serious, the excrement may 

 become mixed with mucus or blood. It is important that the cause be 

 sought out and removed. See that the birds have comfortable quarters 

 and that they are not exposed to drafts, cold or dampness. If taken early, 

 diarrhea can often be checked by reducing the amount of green and ani- 

 mal feed and feeding largely on dry feed, eliminating the moist mash. 

 Give a tablespoon ful of sweet (olive) oil as a laxative to carry off any 

 irritating matters that may be in the intestine. In severe cases give 5 

 to 10 drops of laudanum to each bird. 



