POULTR?Y-CRAFT. 201 
Entire prevention of disease is not possible when any considerable stock of 
poultry is képt; nor is it continuously possible under any conditions. Ina 
small flock of fowls, healthy and well cared for, one, two or three seasons may 
pass without a sick fowl, even though the vate of Joss, as finally determined zs 
greater than ina large stock in which there are deaths every month in the 
year. There are people who claim to breed poultry on quite an extensive 
scale without losses from disease ; but such statements are not credited by per- 
sons who have had experience in handling fowls in large numbers. 
312. Hints to Guide in the Diagnosis of the Ailments of Fowls. — 
The common diseases of poultry, their causes, symptoms and simplest remedies, 
are given in the next paragraph. The hints given in this are to help the 
reader to go as quickly as possible to the information he needs. Such hints 
cannot be infallible, but will be found right in the great majority of cases. 
When a fowl sneezes, waters slightly at the nostrils and eyes, the face puffs 
up — any or all of these symptoms indicate a common cold. 
When it rattles in the throat, it has a cold w7th bronchitts. 
When it experiences great difficulty in breathing, it has, probably, pxeumonza. 
When cankers form in the mouth and throat, it has diphtherda or diphthe- 
ritic roup. 
When discharges from the nostrils are profuse and ill-smelling, it has 
common roup, influenza. Looseness of the bowels accompanies many dis- 
eases, and if there are symptoms indictating the presence of another disease 
(not intestinal), that should be treated first. 
Looseness of the bowels, the feathers around the vent smeared and gummed 
with the discharges, is déarrhea. 
A bloody diarrhcea may be either dysentery or enteritis. 
Greenish discharges, turning to frothy white, are given as a symptom of 
cholera; but greenish yellow, frothy white discharges frequently accompany 
roup, and are often found under such conditions that it is impossible to 
suppose cholera. 
A dark purplish comb and face, generally ruffled appearance, and brownish, 
watery discharge, indicate congestion of the liver. 
Symptoms as above, but more pronounced, and with yellowish discharges, 
indicate that the disease has developed into zxflammation of the lever. 
Small hard lumps under the skin of the face, occur in roug. 
Ulcers about the head and face are generally chicken pox. 
A yellowish looking head and face, indicate general debility, anemia, or 
consumption. 
General listlessness without symptoms of specific disease, indicates 
indigestion. 
Lameness is generally the result of an accident, or of rheumatism. 
Twisting of the head and neck is due to cramps, rheumatism, giddiness. 
Jerking of the head 1s due to pressure of blood on the brain, that is, to head- 
ache. 
