DISEASES AND THEIR CURE. 107 



able food, or a choice of bad ground whereupon to 

 stand the coops ; and reference has before been made 

 as to the kind of ground most likely to develop cramp, 

 as well as to that best fitted for removing the same. 

 Wet weather we are unable to control ; but damp 

 ground is, to a certain extent, negotiable, and there- 

 fore it will be our own fault if, after the disease has 

 once developed itself, we permit ourselves, for any 

 very great length of time, to suffer from its ravages ; 

 and to stand coops about in damp, unseasonable 

 places is certain to bring with it its own reward 

 probably gapes, and, if not, cramp. 



The same remedy that was recommended for gapes 

 i.e., changing the ground to a spot drier, higher, 

 and more generally suitable holds good in the case 

 of this disease also ; and the addition of a board under 

 the coops at night, for the first night or two after the 

 move, will probable effect a cure. Should it be impos- 

 sible to get fresh ground, and the birds cannot be 

 moved, then adopt this precaution provide for each 

 coop a movable wooden bottom, to be affixed at night 

 and removed in the morning. 



For active treatment, put all the birds that are 

 affected, one coop at a time, into a basket, into 

 which some warmed sacking has been introduced. 

 Move them in this into a warm room before a 

 fire, and give them their food hot, with the addition 

 of some peppercorns ground up in it. When they 

 have recovered, replace them in the coop, seeing 



