646 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vu. 



Scabies. This is really a form of mange in fowls, being due to the 

 presence of a parasite in the skin, and it is very contagious. The 

 places affected should be dressed with some good mange lotion. 



White Comb. When the comb, which in a state of health should be 

 bright red, becomes covered with a white scurf, which if not checked will 

 spread down the neck, it is called white comb. It is a form of scurvy, 

 and is due to bad conditions. The diet must be plain and wholesome, 

 the water pure, the ground fresh, and all the conditions healthy. 

 Clear the system by a good dose of aperient medicine, and then follow 

 with tonics, giving a rhubarb pill twice a-week. Should any eruption 

 appear on the comb, dress it with salad oil in which a little Jeyes' 

 Purifying Fluid has been mixed. 



NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



Affections of the nervous system are commoner than would at 

 first be supposed. It may be that the same conditions which tend to 

 the increase of these complaints in man are at work in fowls. 



Apoplexy. The commonest form is that of apoplexy. A bird, 

 apparently well, dies suddenly, no cause being evident. On examina- 

 tion it is found that it has had a fit of apoplexy. The cause is nearly 

 always overfeeding, and maize is accountable for much of it. The 

 premonitory symptoms are unsteady gait, drowsiness, and apparent 

 objection to any exertion whatever. The bird is almost without excep- 

 tion very fat. When these symptoms are noticed the patient should have 

 a strong purgative, to be repeated the third day, and the bird should be 

 absolutely starved for twenty-four hours at least. Feed on moderate 

 quantities of plain food, such as barley, and give daily doses of homoeo- 

 pathic tincture of nux vomica. 



Paralysis. From similar causes paralysis of the body sometimes 

 ensues, and there is practically no hope of saving any fowl so afflicted. 



Vertigo. Sometimes birds are affected with a sort of giddiness or 

 staggering, which has not actually become apoplexy, though it is a 

 premonitory symptom. They can be revived by holding under a 

 running tap, and then treated as for apoplexy. 



ACCIDENTS, &C. 



Torn Comb and Wattles. When cock birds are kept together there 

 is always danger of their fighting, with damage resulting to their combs 

 and wattles. The parts should be well cleansed with cold water, and 

 the ragged portions that are not likely to heal together cut off. Some- 

 times the torn parts can be stitched together, and if they need it this 

 should be done. As a rule, it is only necessary to bathe the parts twice 

 a-day with cold water, and anoint them with vaseline. 



Fractures. Cases have been known when broken legs of fowls have 

 been mended, and surgery of this kind can be attempted by those who 

 have the necessary skill, time, and patience. 



