Diseases of Poultry. 187 



hard, and the incision should be made in the form of a cross, when a sharp squeeze will generally 

 expel the offending matter through the wound. In all cases, until a cure be effected, the perch 

 should not exceed six inches from the ground, and be padded with carpet, so as to take off as 

 much pressure as possible ; or it will be better still if the bird is compelled to sleep on straw. 



Other large breeds occasionally suffer from abscess in the foot, but in these cases some injury 

 or other special irritating cause can generally be detected. In such cases the matter formed is 

 usually of the consistency of cheese, and as often as not the tumour extends through the upper side 

 of the foot, sometimes forming a mass the size of a cherry in the web between the toes. These are 

 easily extracted, and usually heal without difficulty or showing any tendency to return. 



Canker. — See Ulceration. 



Catarrh. — All fowls are subject to a common cold, shov.-n in the usual way bj- more or less 

 discharge from the eyes or nostrils. It is not dangerous, but if neglected may issue in roup. 

 Remove to a warm place, and drop three drops of the No. i, or mother tincture of aconite, in half a 

 pint of the drinking water. Feed moderately on soft food only, mixed ivarm, and seasoned -with 

 the No. 1 mixture given at page 141. If not better in a few days, and especially if worse, treat as 

 for roup, the presence of which may then be suspected. 



Cholera. — During the last few year4 An^e^'ican yards especially have been devastated by a 

 disease previously unknown, to which the name of Chicken Cholera has been generally given ; and 

 of late many cases have occurred in England. The symptoms are by no means uniform, and do 

 not in all instances present a clear choleraic character ; but the prevalence of the disease during hot 

 weather, its epidemic character, and the usual presence of diarrhoea, do present evident analogies 

 which may perhaps justify the name given. We cannot, however, resist the conclusion that many 

 cases have been termed cholera which had no claim whatever to that title, but were clearly to be 

 diagnosed as disorder of the liver, and to be treated accordingly. 



In true chicken cholera there is a sudden and violent accession of thirst, accompanied with 

 diarrhoea ; the droppings being at first of a greenish character, and by degrees becoming thin and 

 whitish, much resembling the characteristic " rice-water " discharges of the same disease in the 

 human subject. Great weakness becomes rapidly manifested, the fowl " falling about," usually 

 by the water-fountain ; and in some cases cramps also supervene. The bird also presents a 

 peculiar "anxious" look about the face, which again is singularly characteristic of cholera in 

 the human being. 



The causes can usual!)' be clearly traced on diligent inquir}'. It will nearly alwaj's be found 

 that there has been exposure to the sun without effectual shade, and that the drinking-water has 

 become warm. In such circumstances the droppings have become offensive in smell, the grass in 

 the runs has probably withered, and care has not been bestowed on supplying other and fresh 

 green food. It must always be remembered that the re£-u/ar supp^ of fresh green meat is the great 

 preventive of diarrhrea in fowls. We never heard of a case of true cholera where cool shade was 

 always accessible, fresh cool water provided, and green food looked after daily. 



The disease runs its course so rapidly — death resulting in most cases in from twelve to thirtj-- 

 six hours — that treatment is generally too late : but if diagnosed at an early stage recovery may be 

 expected in about sixty per cent, of the cases from the administration every three hours of 



Rhubarb ........... 5 grains. 



Cayenne Pepper ......... 2 ,, 



Laudanum .......... 10 drops, 



