190 



The Illustrated Book ot Poultry. 



thing, and then to pass the finger (greased, and the nail pared smooth) into the crop, and to feel 

 the outlet. It is quite possible that a bit of bone or other matter may be the cause of obstruction ; 

 and if this is left, the operation will be useless. Then have what is called a glover's needle read}-, 

 charged with liorscluiir, and put four, or five stitches into the inner membrane, drawing it carefully 

 and closely together, and at least three stitches in the outer skin. Place the stitches in the outer 

 skin in such a position that they may be between the inner stitches, as shown in Fig. 54. Take 

 special care not to sew up the two skins together, as it is almost certainly fatal. Feed sub- 

 sequently on sopped bread not very moist, and do not allow the bird water for twenty-four 

 hours, as it is apt to find its way through the wound, and delay, if not prevent, the healing. There 

 is not the slightest necessity to remove the horsehair subsequently. The operation should not be 

 delayed if the other measures do not succeed in forty-eight hours, as delay adds 

 to the danger; and a sour horrible stench from the bird's mouth is a plain 

 indication in favour of operating at once." 



Crop, .Soft or Swelled. — There is another form of distension of the 

 same organ, in which the contents are of a soft or fluid character. The usual 

 cause we believe to be excessive drinking after thirst, by which the inner coats 

 lose their " tone " and are unable to contract properly on the food — so that in 

 some cases the organ remains distended even with air. We have had only 

 moderate success in treating this complaint when left for any time unnoticed ; 

 but recent cases may generally be mastered with careful treatment. Put the 

 bird by itself, and feed it three times a day with a very sjnall portion of soft 

 food thoroughly cooked; allowing it to drink moderately after each meal only 

 water slightly acidulated with nitric acid, but not leaving the fountain in the 

 pen. The food should be seasoned with some such mixture as the No. 4, page 141, and half a 

 tea-spoonful of sal-volatile be given in double the quantit}- of water everj' morning. This constant 

 care is the only means of saving the bird. Chopped onions or garlic will be the best green 

 food in such cases, and have been found of themselves to have a strong remedial effect. 



Fig- 54- 



Debility. — It sometimes happens that fowls droop without any apparent positive disease ; 

 evidently suffering from prostration or want of " tone," having little appetite, and getting more and 

 more out of condition generally. The most usual cause is over-showing, causing a greater strain on 

 the nervous energies than the bird can withstand ; but any severe " shock " may have the same 

 effect, and we have known it produced in a fine bird by the excessive terror caused by the sudden 

 appearance of a large mastiff in the yard. In some cases birds have been prostrated by exhibition, 

 past recovery, but are usually amenable to judicious treatment. 



Strong tonics are not advisable; but the administration twice daily of half a tea-spoonful of 

 " Parrish's Chemical Food," mixed with a whole spoonful of water, changed every alternate or 

 third week for a tea-spoonful twice daily (also with a spoonful of water) of any ordinary quinine 

 and iron mixture, will be usually followed by rapid improvement. A raw new-laid egg should also 

 be " slipped " down the bird's throat every day till the strength and appetite appear to be returning, 

 when it is best to change it for a little cooked meat, and leave ofif all tonic except the chemical 

 food, or a little tincture of muriate of iron in the water. 



We knew a case in which a fancier was presented with a magnificent Dorking cock, but 

 apparently gone past recovery sonieliQiv, though what was the matter nobody knew. His man at 

 first literally had to " keep the bird alive " by breaking raw eggs down his throat, three or four daily. 



