1216 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



half ounce to 1 quart of water) . When other treatments are unavaihng, 

 tincture of iodine may be sparingly used. 



Egg-bound. — Irritation of the oviduct, causing the membrane to be- 

 come dry and deficient in its normal lubrication, an abnormally large egg, 

 or a, too fat condition of the hen may cause difficulty in expelling an egg 

 from the body and produce the condition known as egg-bound. If the 

 egg remains in the oviduct for a considerable length of time inflamma- 

 tion is produced, which finally develops into decomposition of the tissues 

 and results in death. Fowls when egg-bound are restless, going frequently 

 on the nest, showing a desire to lay and, in general, giving evidence of 

 being in distress. Later they become dull and listless, remaining in this 

 condition until death if not relieved. The egg can usually be felt in the 

 posterior portion of the abdomen. If the trouble is early discovered, inject 

 a small quantity of oil into the vent, and gently try to work the egg out. 

 If this treatment is unsuccessful, hold the lower part of the body in warm 

 water for half an hour, or until the parts are relaxed ; then treat as above. 

 It may be necessary to break the egg, allow the contents to escape, and 

 remove the shell in pieces. After removal of the egg give soft cooling 

 feed. 



Occasionally difficulty in laying an egg causes prolapsus or eversion 

 of the oviduct. When this occurs the oviduct is partially turned inside 

 out and protnides from the vent. If the egg causing the trouble has not 

 been expelled, remove it, wash the exposed portion of the oviduct with 

 warm water, apply carbolated vaseline or lard, and return to its normal 

 position by gentle pressure. In addition it is well to give the fowl 3 to 5 

 drops of fluid extract of ergot. 



Intestinal worms. — Worms are frequently present in the intestines and 

 ceca of chickens, particularly young chicks, often causing considerable 

 loss. Practically the only w^ay to determine that worms are present is to 

 examine the ceca and intestines of dead chicks. The worms are small and 

 hairlike. Occasionally flat tape worms are found, but these are not very 

 common. Chicks infested vdth worms go off feed and become thin and 

 sickly looking. 



In combating worms care should be taken to keep clean the soil over 

 which the chicks run, and to move the runs each year or two if possible. 

 Cleanliness in the house must also be observed. In treating affected birds, 

 powdered areca nut (20 to 40 grains per fowl), administered either in 

 mash or mixed Avith butter and made into pills, is an effective remedy. 

 Powdered male fern (30 grains to 1 dtam), or oil of turpentine (1 to 3 

 teaspoonfuls) , alone or diluted with an equal bulk of olive oil, is also 

 very good. It is well to follow any of these remedies with a dose of castor 

 oil (1 to 3 teaspoonfuls). 



Limber Neck. — This disease, as its name indicates, is characterized by 

 the limp condition of the neck, the fowl practically losing all control of 



