CILLA P T Hike ex. 
THE DISHASES OF PHEASANTS. 
as they generally are, from strong healthy parents, the few 
tee weakly chickens that are produced die under that benevolent 
y 
arrangement which has been so justly termed the survival of the 
Wx. fittest in the struggle for life. Consequently the most vigorous 
NS } remain as brood stock, and propagate a healthy offspring. Never- 
aM ane theless, in some seasons, particularly during those that are wet, the 
young birds are affected by certain epidemic diseases that are difficult 
either to prevent or cure; amongst the first of these may be mentioned cold or 
catarrh, which is generally caused by an undue amount of wet weather acting on 
birds enfeebled by too close interbreeding, or by errors in the dietary and general 
management, such as undue exposure to cold winds. All that can be recommended 
in case of the young birds being thus afflicted is warm, dry shelter, and the addition 
of a little stimulating food, as bread soaked in ale, and spiced with any ordinary 
condiment, such as cayenne or common pepper, and the moistening of the oatmeal, 
‘or other soft food, with a solution of a quarter of an ounce of sulphate of iron in 
a quart of water, using enough to give the meal an inky taste. 
Cold often runs on to roup, in which the discharge from the nostrils becomes 
purulent and infectious; in this case, the best mode of treatment is to endeavour 
to stamp out the disease by removing and destroying the affected birds instantly, 
and preventing them affecting others. 
Scrofulous diseases, such as tubercles in the lungs and liver, are the result 
of breeding from weak stock, from overcrowding on the same ground, and from 
close interbreeding. The remedies suggest themselves; all that is required is the 
employment of strong, healthy stock birds, the removal to fresh untainted ground, 
and, if necessary, an introduction of fresh blood into the aviary or preserves. 
Cramp in young birds is often caused by a wet, cold season, and can only be 
remedied by dryness, shelter, and good feeding. In some cases false bottoms to the 
coops, raised two inches off the ground, have been found very advantageous. 
M 
