128 BIRDS. 



COMB, DISEASES OR 



The colour and condition of the comb are indicators of the 

 bird's health. Every one recognises the increasingly bright 

 comb as revealing the fact that a pullet will soon lay, but the 

 general health is also to be judged by this appendage. Any 

 sort of injury is reflected in the comb immediately, it is the first 

 part in which the circulation is seen to fail. A dark red or 

 purplish tint in cock or hen should call the owner's attention to 

 something being wrong. 



White Comb.— A scaly eruption, which quickly spreads 

 over the adjoining parts, involving the whole head in time. 



Cause. — Insanitary surroundings. 



Treatment. — Dress the comb twice, at intervals of a week, 

 with the EUiman's. Remove the birds into a fresh and healthy 

 place and give grubs, insects, worms and fresh vegetable food. 



CONSTIPATION. 



A rare condition in fowls, but occasionally met with in cage- 

 birds that are exclusively fed on dry seed. 



Causes. — These are purely dietetic and a more laxative 

 regime is needful. 



Treatment. — A dose of castor oil or chopped greens and 

 olive oil for cage-birds, and sardine oil in the case of fowls. 

 Cage-birds should have a little sulphur m.ixed with bread sop 

 for a few days, this simple treatment being usually successful. 

 Oatmeal gruel cooked with salad oil will generally have the 

 desired effect. 



CONSUMPTION OR TUBERCULOSIS. 



This dread disease carries off" more poultry than all the other 

 ailments of birds put together. Man, animals and birds are all 

 liable to it. 



