POULTRY PATIENTS. 313 



the human subject as well, "a common cold," only in the 

 latter the various ramifications and consequences that pro- 

 ceed from it are known and recognized, while in the poor, 

 helpless fowl they are all classed (hereabouts) under one 

 name, usually "sore-head," from beginning to end. The 

 first stage of the trouble is properly termed distemper, or 

 catarrh. It is a disease that chickens are heir to all over 

 the world ; it is hard to tell always the why and wherefore 

 of its appearance ; all we know is that it will come some- 

 times, and that too in spite of ever}'- care and attention. 



The distemper usually seizes upon young chickens when 

 they are shedding their " second chicken feathers," in their 

 second or third month. As soon as one of the flock is seen 

 to be quiet and listless, and disposed to remain on the perch 

 in the day-time, its face and comb red, and a fullness or 

 puff" under its eye, look to it, and at once ! Do not lose an 

 hour before shutting it up in the hospital, that should be an 

 adjunct to the poultry-yard, and commencing active treat- 

 ment ; for while distemper is a disease that is light in itself, 

 if left to take its own course it will usually result fatally. 



Listlessness and loss of appetite are the first symptoms ; 

 the second day a slight froth appears in the corners of the 

 eyes. When treatment is delayed until this froth appears 

 the race with the destroyer is a close one ; and even, if the 

 chicken eventually recovers, it is usually with the loss of 

 one or both eyes ; in the latter case it must be killed or it 

 will die of starvation. Watch closely, therefore, for the 

 first symptoms we have noted, and as soon as discovered 

 place the patient under the following 



TREATMENT FOR DISTEMPER. 



If taken before the froth in the eyes appears, wash the 

 head and beak clean, and blow down through the nose into 

 the throat, either with the mouth or a rubber nipple ; this 



