273 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



the blood, and consequently abate the fever. Others, 

 very improperly plunge the hen several times into cold 

 water, or, let water fall on her from a pump, or other- 

 wise.' But what is found to be the most effectual, is 

 cooping the hen up for a few days and nights, on the 

 cold ground, or shutting her out from the nest at night, 

 and compelling her to roost in the yard. 



A feverish state also takes place about the time hens be- 

 gin to lay, but is of little consequence to fowls otherwise 

 healthy, though it will be certain to increase any other 

 disorder which may have previously affected them. If 

 they appear very hot and restless, they may have plenty 

 of green food, Indian-meal dough, scalded bran, or soak- 

 ed bread, or in more extreme cases, they may be plunged 

 into, or sprinkled with, water to allay the heat. 



VORACIOUS APPETITE, 



FOWLS which are much emaciated, or affected with 

 loss of feathers, (not moulting,) often exhibit the most 

 voracious and insatiable appetite, while at the same time 

 they are very ill-tempered and pugnacious. This most 

 probably arises from acidity in the bowels, or some ob- 

 struction in the orifices of the veins that open on the 

 inner surface of the intestines, preventing the due pas- 

 sage of the digested aliment into the blood. 



Before any proper remedy can be prescribed, the 

 cause ought to be ascertained ; but as this is not always 

 possible, it may be well to try various things at a ven- 

 ture. For instance, as acidity may be presumed to be 

 the cause in a great number of instances, chalk may be 

 mixed up with bread crumbs or mashed potatoes, to 

 neutralise the acid. Again, if costiveness is observed, 

 which may cause obstruction, mashed carrots or boiled 

 cabbages may be given two or three limes, till the 

 effect produced be ascertained. 



CROFSICK, INDIGESTION, OR WANT OP APPETITE. 



WHEN the food of fowls is suddenly changed, such as 

 from dry to boiled barley, or Indian meal, or to 

 mashed potatoes, they may often be observed to feed 

 badly, and to lose flesh in a surprisingly short space of 



