

/^^-V o-i^ /v 



192 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



and more effectual than passing up an oiled feather, but the latter plan may be adopted if a 

 syringe is not at hand. Fomentation of the vent with hot water before applying the oil is also 

 beneficial, by relaxing the tissues. Care must be taken to handle the bird gently, as breakage of 

 the c^g is generally fatal, though by -no means always so, as is sometimes stated. 



We have known the passage enclosing the egg to appear externally, have seen a rupture in it 

 take place, and the egg pass through it ; this happened in a Minorca fowl. In case of such an 

 accident — not necessarily fatal— egg production must be totally arrested. Give a pill containing 

 one grain of calomel, one-twelfth of a grain of tartar emetic, and one-quarter of a grain of opium, 

 every four hours ; the first pill having the calomel and opium doubled with advantage. Put the 

 bird on soft unstimulating diet. 



EletiiantiasiS. — This name has been lately given to the disease known as "scaly legs," or 

 the development of a rough unsightly scurf on the shanks. We believe it never occurs except in 

 the case of Asiatic breeds, or those formed, as the Leghorn, by crossing from them ; and the most 

 subject of all to the affection is the White Cochin. In Buffs also it is not unfrequent ; i!i Partridge 

 more rare, and in Brahmas very rare indeed. We once saw a mass on the legs^f an old Cochin 

 hen nearly an inch thick. 



Without affirming that it is the oily cause, we can safely say that diligent inquiry has 

 demonstrated beyond a doubt a close connection between this disease and sudden exposure to cold 

 wet, and most especially walking in snow. The much greater development of the affection in 

 America, where the extremes of climate are so much greater, is, so far as it goes, confirmatory of 

 this view ; but there arc probably other predisposing causes as well. 



The disease is almost always capable of cure, if taken at a reasonably early stage. A dry 

 and moderately warm domicile must be provided, after which the first thing will be a vigorous 

 scrubbing with soap and tepid water, by means of a hard nail-brush. This will remove a great 

 deal of the scurf, after which all the affected parts must be anointed with ordinary sulphur 

 ointment, scrubbing with a brush and freshly anointing every day. A weak solution of sugar 

 of lead may be used as a lotion in the morning with advantage, appl}ing the ointment in the 

 evening. Half a tea-spoonful of powdered sulphur may also be given internally, and cure is usually 

 effected in from one to two weeks. In very slight cases, it is often sufficient to apply glycerine, 

 especially when first observed in young chickens. The ointment of cocoa-nut oil and turmeric, 

 mentioned under " Eruptions," is also an excellent application. 



We believe some strains have a hereditary tendency to this disgusting disease, and would 

 get rid of such as soon as convenient ; or at least throw in a strong cross of healthier blood, and 

 adopt steady tonic treatment, with a view to eradicate the scrofulous tendency. It is probably also 

 contagious to some extent. 



Eruptions. — Cochins especially, if not copiously supplied with green food, are liable to an 

 eruption called " white-comb," consisting of a whitish scurf or efflorescence, which if not checked 

 extends down the neck and causes the loss of feathers so far as it extends. Fowls kept in small or 

 dirty yards may also acquire a scurfy skin, partaking of the same character. The treatment of all 

 is similar. Green food must be supplied, and cleanliness attended to ; while the parts are dressed 

 with tar and sulphur ointment, or with a unguent compound of cocoa-nut oil, one ounce ; turmeric, 

 in powder, quarter of an ounce. In true " white comb" the last is a specific. The internal 

 treatment will consist of a dose of castor-oil at commencement, followed by a teaspoonful of 

 powdered sulphur daily in the food for ten days, by which time a cure will generally be effected. 



