78 999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



QUESTION What is the cause, the symptoms, and the cure for 

 bronchitis ? 



ANSWER The primary cause is generally a cold, but it may be 

 the result of inhaling irritating vapors or dust. In severe cases there 

 is loss of appetite and the bird presents a generally dull appearance. 

 The breathing is somewhat faster than normal and there is whistling, 

 wheezing sound, which develops into a rattling or gurgling noise by 

 reason of the air passing through the mucous. Treatment is not 

 very successful. Give three drops of syrup of ipecac twice a day 

 and force the bird to inhale the steam from boiling water in which 

 has been placed a teaspoonful of carbolic acid to a gallon of water. 



QUESTION What is the cause, the cure and symptoms of ca- 

 tarrh of the crop? 



ANSWER There are several causes, among which are the taking 

 into the crop of irritating, indigestible substances, overloading the 

 crop, eating decomposed meat or other putrid articles and the pres- 

 ence of parasitic worms in the crop, especially maggots. The organ 

 becomes practically paralyzed and much distended. The contents 

 decompose and ferment and an offensive liquid and gas accumulates 

 as will be indicated by feeling the crop and the belching of the bird. 

 The crop should be emptied by holding the bird by the legs head 

 downward and gently kneading the organ, thereby forcing the con- 

 tents out through the mouth. Keep the bird without food for twelve 

 to eighteen hours and then feed lightly of easily digested foods. As 

 soon as the crop is emptied give one grain of bicarbonate of soda 

 and one and one-half grains of subnitrate of bismuth in a dessert- 

 spoonful of water and repeat the dose once a day for three days. 



QUESTION Are fowls subject to diseases of the liver; if so 

 what are the symptoms and cure? 



ANSWER There are several forms of liver disease. They origi- 

 nate principally from lack of exercise, incorrect methods of feeding 

 and a continued diet of grain, especially corn and other fat forming 

 foods. The disease can seldom be detected till too late to cure it. 

 Treatment is not profitable. The usual symptoms are loss of appe- 

 tite, sluggishness and a yellowish color in the face. 



QUESTION Do fowls have Dropsy? 



ANSWER Yes, the symptoms are very pale comb, a generally 

 enfeebled condition and diminished appetite. The most prominent 

 indication is the enlargement of the abdomen, which is distended till 

 it nearly reaches the ground and is soft and yielding to the touch 

 as though it were a fleshy bag rilled with liquid. There is no remedy 

 for the disease. Birds affected should be killed as soon as the nature 

 of the disease is suspected, 



