Diseases of the Liver 99 



Treatment. — The treatment of diseased birds has not 

 giv^en satisfactory results. The remedies most often used 

 are sulphur 5 grains, sulphate of iron 1 grain ; or benzo- 

 naphthol 1 grain, salicylate of bismuth 1 grain ; or sulphate 

 of iron 1 grain, salicylate of soda 1 grain. These remedies 

 should be preceded and followed by a dose of Epsom salts 

 (10 to 35 grains), or of castor oil (| to 3 tea spoonfuls). 

 Fifteen grains of catechu to the gallon of drinking water 

 may also have a beneficial effect. It seems clear, however, 

 that it does not pay to doctor the sick poults and that the 

 only hope of success at present is in preventing their infection. 



The measures of prevention which have been suggested 

 are (1) obtaining eggs from birds believed to be healthy; 

 (2) wiping the eggs with a cloth wet with alcohol (80 to 90 

 per cent) before they are placed in the incubator or under the 

 hen for hatching, to remove any contagion that might be 

 on the shell ; (3) hatching in an incubator, or at least remov- 

 ing the eggs from under the hen a day or two before hatching 

 would occur, wiping with alcohol, and finishing in an incu- 

 bator, in order to avoid exposing the poults to the hen ; (4) 

 placing the young poults on the ground at a distance from 

 all other domesticated fowls and which has not recently 

 been occupied by other fowls ; (5) excluding so far as pos- 

 sible pigeons, other wild birds, and rats and mice from the 

 houses and runs occupied by the turkeys ; (6) the frequent 

 disinfection of the houses, feed troughs, drinking fountains, 

 etc. ; (7) the immediate killing of diseased birds and the 

 destruction of their bodies by fire. 



These radical measures are necessary, and in sections 

 of the country which are not too intensely infected they will 

 make it possible to carry on the turkey industry success- 

 fully. However, it must be admitted that up to the present 

 blackhead has proved to be one of the most difficult of all 

 diseases to prevent or eradicate. 



