SOME DISEASES OF POULTRY 431 



recommendation for fresh-air houses in preference to 

 warm, closed-up houses. 



A common fresh-air house has something like 50 per 

 cent of the south front open. During the coldest nights, 

 however, a muslin curtain may be let down over the open- 

 ing. Glass windows may take up the rest of the sunny 

 side. The plan is to admit plenty of sunlight and to get 

 good ventilation without draughts. 



It is best to locate the poultry houses upon soil that is 

 well drained. A cold damp location is as unsuitable as is 

 a closed-up home. A raised site, or, lacking this, a few 

 inches of gravel under a cement floor, will generally satisfy 

 the demands for dryness. The house had better not be 

 placed near farm buildings that are apt to become filthy, 

 since feeding at such unsanitary places affects the flavor of 

 the eggs and even the flesh. 



323. Some Diseases of Poultry. Poultry are subjected to 

 many diseases, each of which requires special treatment. 

 We can mention only a few of them. 



Grapes is caused by a worm left in the mouth in swallow- 

 ing the ordinary food, or by angleworms infested with this 

 parasite. The logical " prevention " is new or untainted 

 ground, especially in a wet season. Diseased birds should 

 be kept by themselves, and all droppings burned. Spray- 

 ing the throat with spirits of camphor is a good 

 remedy. 



For lice rub lice powder into the feathers and use kero- 

 sene emulsion, to which a little creosote has been added, 

 or use a little butter, lard, or some bland oil rubbed into 

 the down and feathers of the head. 



Roup is a foul-smelling and highly contagious form of 

 catarrhal cold. Clean out the beaks, and spray the fowl 

 with peroxide of hydrogen. Also add a few grains of 

 permanganate of potash to the drinking \vater. 



