428 Diseases of Fowls. 



ailment, give sulphur and Cayenne pepper, in the ratio of 

 six parts of sulphur to one-sixth of pepper, mixed with 

 barley-meal. 



Tonic compounds are, no doubt, in many cases good for 

 all sorts of poultry. Cayenne pepper is a favorite Ameri- 

 can preventive of disease in young turkeys. It is mixed 

 iu the proportion of a tablespoonful to a quart of boiling 

 water ; bread is soaked in this, and given in case of chills, 

 to which they are so liable. 



FOWL CHOLERA. 



An enormous loss is caused every year in the United 

 States by this disease. The Reports of the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture, at Washington, say that it prevails in half the 

 counties heard from, and the money lost by it varies from a 

 few hundred dollars to $200,000 in each county every year ! 

 The Commissioner figures out the total annual loss as cer- 

 tainly more than ten million dollars ! 



Cause. — The disease originates from poisonous germs, 

 and is exceedingly infectious. These germs enter the system 

 by the digestive organs, and they are generally taken with 

 the food. The contagion is spread by means of the excre- 

 ment of sick fowls or the flesh or other parts of dead ones. 

 Frequently, no doubt, it is carried considerable distances by 

 small birds which are also subject to it. 



Symptoms. — The disease begins with a diarrhoea, soon 

 becoming bloody; there is great weakness, and the eyes are 

 dull and watery. The feathers droop, the plumage is rough, 

 and there is no desire for food. 



Treatment. — Mere medicines are of no great value in 

 this disease, but its ravages can be usually checked by com- 

 bining them with good care and disinfection. The immedi- 



