POULTRY DEPARTMENT. 437 



castor or olive oil. Handle the bird carefully, as rough treatment may 

 easily break the egg. Such a circumstance is usually followed by a fatal 

 result. 



Cramp. Chickens are sometimes seen with their toes curled in, and 

 later are found walking on their knuckles. This is cramp, caused by 

 being upon a clay or damp soil. To cure, place the chicken upon a per- 

 fectly dry floor, and feed on corn-meal with warm milk. Bathe the 

 feet in warm water, rub dry and paint with turpentine. 



Consumption. This is often an hereditary disease, and when so 

 it can not be cured, but there is a form caused by damp, dark, badly 

 ventilated houses. The bird gradually wastes away, there is a contin- 

 ual mucus discharge from the mouth, and a cough, and the poor bird 

 soon dies, leaving simply a mass of bones and feathers. If the disease 

 is acquired it may be cured if taken in time. The best treatment is 

 good housing, wholesome and abundant diet, and capsules of cod-hver 

 oil with quinine. Do not breed from any bird that has had the con- 

 sumption, even though apparently cured. 



Diphtheria. This disease seldom makes its appearance in ordinary 

 poultry yards, being chiefly confined to exhibitions, and the ordinary 

 keeper need not fear the disease except when buying birds. 



Its indications are, severe cold with high fever, and in the throat 

 white spots are seen filling the glottis. Any bird so affected should be 

 immediately killed, as it is very contagious, and when once it gets into 

 a flock it is seldom driven out without the sacrifice of all the birds. 



Bumble-Foot. This disease is largely confined to the Dorkings and 

 Houdans. It is caused by a wart-like substance appearing in the ball 

 of the foot, which, if allowed to grow, will cause the bird to become so 

 lame it can not walk. The cause is high perches and constant walking 

 on stone or cement floors. The wart-like substance should be cut out 

 with a sharp knife, and the part touched with nitrate of silver, after 

 which the fowl should be kept on a floor thickly covered with cut straw. 

 If very much inflamed do the foot up in cloths, which should be kept 

 wet with cold water. 



