BIRDS. 135 



GOUT, 



Cause. — Over-feeding and insufficient exercise. Heavy 

 breeds are the most frequent subjects. 



Treatment. — To give immediate relief use Elliman's, but, 

 for permanent cure, let there be exercise and less stimulating 

 food. 



INDIGESTION, 



Causes. — Heavy meals in the morning, as maize, which 

 should be reserved for long winter nights when birds are on 

 the perch fourteen hours or more. Damaged forage, which some 

 persons seem to think is specially desirable for fowls, when 

 a sale of it can be effected in no other way. Another most 

 fruitful source of indigestion and that which afflicts the 

 back-yard fowl is the want of sufficient grit, without which 

 digestion cannot be performed. Suitable grit is not everywhere 

 obtainable, but it may be made by baking oyster-shells, which 

 can be easily crushed and so supply all the necessary material 

 for digestion, and for the formation of eg^ shells. 



LEG WEAKNESS, 



Cause. — Too much forcing. The attempt to bring birds 

 of six months to the weight of those nearly twice their age 

 can only be done in a few cases. The weight of the body 

 is too great for the under-standings. 



Treatment. — Strengthen the limbs by applying the 

 Elliman's and supply the system with the bone-forming 

 elements in the shape of syrup of phosphates. 



Prevention. — Give lime water and powdered shells with the 

 food from the first month or six weeks. 



