CHAP. vii. DISEASES OF POULTRY. 641 



aconite, or any of the prepared roup pills, such as Chambeiiin and 

 Smith's, or Vale's. 



Bronchitis. A further development of the same disease, and one 

 which is often hereditary, so that birds affected with it should not be 

 used for breeding. The symptoms are cough, rapid breathing, rattle 

 in the throat, and general state of fever. Cure is difficult, but the 

 active symptoms may be relieved by keeping in a warm moist atmo- 

 sphere ; feed on soft food, and mix a little nitric acid with the drinking 

 water. A medicine called Euphorbia pilulifera is highly recommended 

 for all respiratory complaints. 



Consumption. Neglected colds in birds which are naturally delicate, 

 or have been made favourable subjects in any way, sometimes run into 

 consumption. It is needless to say that when this is the case the best 

 way is to obtain fresh and untainted stock, and to begin de novo. The 

 symptoms are familiar enough pale face, short, quick cough, and 

 gradual wasting away of the sufferer. We have known other symptoms 

 result from pressure of the intestines, which was cured by pills made 

 from Brown's Aromatic Compound and butter, but there was not the 

 cough. Cure of consumption is impossible. 



Pneumonia, or Inflammation of the Lungs. A most deadly disease, 

 to which highly-kept birds are more subject than are others. It arises 

 from their living in a close, warm atmosphere, and then being suddenly 

 exposed to cold. Hence the necessity for well- ventilated houses, so 

 that there shall be a constant current of fresh air, and that the heat 

 within the house shall not be too much above the normal temperature 

 outside. The symptoms are similar to bronchitis, but in a much 

 aggravated form, and there is that catch in the breathing which is ever 

 indicative of inflammation. Unless relieved the disease soon runs its 

 course, and the sufferer dies. It is useless prescribing remedies for pneu- 

 monia, as the best course is to kill the bird affected, and to see that 

 the cause is removed in the case of other birds. 



Roup. Though primarily associated with the respiratory organs, 

 for which reason we shall deal with it in this section, roup is one of 

 those terms which mean much more than was at first intended. 

 It implies that there are the symptoms of cold superimposed upon 

 some other affection, such as diphtheria or tuberculosis. There is 

 usually the same discharge from the nostrils as in common cold, but 

 often the eyes swell, arid the mucus discharged is of the most offensive 

 character. In the case of ordinary cold there will be no offensive smell, 

 but with this complication the breath is very strong indeed. The 

 commonest form is the tuberculous, which may mean a deposit of 

 scrofulous matter in the throat, the lungs, or the liver. To eradicate 

 it from the system is no easy task, and a bird so affected will be 

 much better killed, though cure is possible in some cases if taken in 

 time. There is another form which is more serious, that known as 

 diphtheritic roup, a contagious disease which has been communicated 

 to man, so that the greatest care is needed in handling birds affected. 

 Its course, when once a poultry-yard is attacked, is most rapid, and, 

 unless heroic measures are taken, the stock will speedily be decimated, 



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