DISEASES THE ROUP. 73 



SECTION IX. 



On the Diseases of Poultry and Pigeons. 



THE diseases of our domestic animals kept for food, 

 are generally the result of some error in diet or 

 management, and should either have been prevented, 

 or are to be cured most readily and advantageously 

 by an immediate change, and adoption of the proper 

 regimen. When that will not succeed, any farther 

 risk is extremely questionable ; and particularly with 

 respect to poultry, little hope can be derived from 

 medical attempts. In fact, the far greater part of 

 that grave and plausible account of diseases and re- 

 medies, which is to be found in our common cattle 

 and poultry books, is a farrago of sheer absurdity ; 

 the chief ground of which, it is to be apprehended, 

 is random and ignorant guess-work. 



COMMON FOWLS. Of these, the most frequent 

 diseases, real or presumed, are thus named : the PIP, 

 a white skin or scale growing upon the tip of the 

 tongue. The CURE, tear off the skin with your 

 nail, and rub the tongue with salt. Of this I know 

 nothing, and could never hear any thing with cer- 

 tainty. Imposthume upon the rump is called roup, 

 This is directed to be opened, the core thrust out, 

 and the part washed with salt and water. The 

 roup also seems a general term for all diseases, but 

 is chiefly applied to CATARRH, to which gallinaceous 



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