DISEASES OF POULTRY. 279 



symptom is the voiding of a white calcareous matter, 

 (urate of ammonia,) sometimes streaked with yellow, 

 like the yolk of a stale egg, which sticks to the feathers 

 round the anus, and being very acrid from the ammo- 

 nia it contains, soon causes inflammation, which extends 

 rapidly upwards into the bowels. When the disorder 

 continues violent for a short time, it rapidly emaciates 

 the fowl, as the same disorder does other animals. 



As it is in most, if not all cases, caused by a super- 

 abundant acidity, or other irritating matter in the bow- 

 els, chalk may be given, mixed with boiled rice and 

 milk, either to neutralise any acid that may be present 

 or to soften any acrid matter. Some people pull out 

 the vent and tail feathers, and then rub the parts with 

 fresh butter ; though this is not only a very cruel opera- 

 tion, but one very little likely to prove effectual. Dr. 

 Handel, of Mentz, in France, in cases of chronic, or 

 long-continued looseness, prescribes water in which the 

 rust of iron is diffused, mixed with milk, for drink, and 

 says, it seldom fails to effect a cure. Great care must 

 be taken, however, to have the milk perfectly sweet. 

 The sulphate of iron, or what appears still better, alum, 

 might perhaps be tried with success, dissolved in water, 

 in such proportions as to make it taste a little rough to 

 the tongue. 



As looseness may be caused in fowls by an excessive 

 discharge of urine from the kidneys, which, if discovered, 

 must be attacked by giving dry food, such as whole 

 wheat, oats, bran, Indian corn, or buckwheat, and by 

 supplying water sparingly. Boiled rice and milk, which 

 is strongly diuretic, as well as the rust water, will 

 then be improper. 



BLOODY FLUX. 



FOWLS are but rarely affected with this complaint, 

 which not unfrequently proves fatal to parrots. Boiled 

 rice and milk, and mild ale, warm, with a little chalk or 

 magnesia, should be given. Fat broth or sweet milk, 

 warm, should be their only drink. 



