384 POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



proper feeding, chilling, filthy drinking water, decayed 

 meat, and irritating matter in the intestines. A tablespoon- 

 ful of olive oil or 25 grains of epsom salts per fowl, dis- 

 solved in water, is recommended. Boiled rice and boiled 

 milk are also effective. Dry middlings are also beneficia] 

 in certain cases. Decreasing the quantity of laxative foods 

 such as bran and wet mashes may often be all that is 

 necessary. 



Dropsy. Abdominal dropsy is indicated by a heavy 

 hanging abdomen. The abdomen feels soft and watery. 

 It is due to a rupture of the blood vessel which permits the 

 water to escape into the abdominal cavity. Treatment is 

 not profitable, though temporary relief may be given by 

 puncturing with a needle, or milk tube, which will permit 

 the water to escape. Dropsy sometimes indicates a tuber- 

 culous condition. 



Bronchitis. Bronchitis is caused usually by draughts 

 in the poultry house. It is found associated with catarrhal 

 roup and is indicated by coughing and rattling in the 

 throat. An effective treatment is two or three drops of 

 spirits of camphor in a teaspoonful of glycerine, two days 

 in succession. Two grains of black antimony in the food 

 is also recommended. Swab the throat with permanganate 

 of potash. 



Peritonitis. This is an inflammation of the peritoneum 

 or membrane that covers the abdominal cavity. Successful 

 treatment is difficult. Three or four grains of tincture of' 

 aconite in half a glass of water, giving a teaspoonful three 

 or four times a day, is recommended. J^requent applica- 

 tion of moist flannel cloths is beneficial. 



Rheumatism. Poultry kept on damp ground or in damp 

 houses with restricted exercise, are subject to rheumatism. 

 The fowl in walking has a jerky gait. Lameness does not 

 always signify rheumatism. The limbs should be bathed 



