212 POULTRY-CRAFT. 
Fowls dying suddenly had apoplexy; heart fazlure; choked. Many so- 
called sudden deaths are sudden only because the keeper failed to note plain 
symptoms. 
313. Diseases of Poultry. — In the following list of diseases no special 
effort has been made to have descriptions and terms technically correct. The 
object is to describe the diseases for those who have neither time nor inclination 
to give such matters more study than is required to learn when to physic and 
when to kill. Those who wish to look into the subject more fully, or who 
prefer to doctor whenever a cure is possible, should get a more extended work 
on poultry diseases. Neither space nor the plan of this book would admit full 
descriptions here. 
Anemia, —a condition of the blood, poor blood, due generally to lack of proper food, 
fresh air, or sunshine. Remedied by correcting conditions. 
Apoplexy,—rush of blood to the head, caused by over-eating, violent exercise, fright, 
extreme heat; rarely observed until the victim is too far gone for treatment. Bleed from 
vein in under side of wing; if possible, give two drops of croton oil. 
Bowel Trouble — see Diarrhoea; also 7 261. 
Break Down Behind— if simply due to over-fat, may be remedied by putting hen on 
light diet; if the disorder is due to derangzment of the oviduct, it is generally incurable. 
Broken Bones — easily treated if the break is in the shank; put on light splints, and 
wrap firmly. If the break is anywhere else, the fowl should be killed. 
Bronckhttis —a catarrh, a bad cold accompanied by coughing or rattling in the throat: 
give aconite, as for a cold; or use any convenient remedy suitable for coughs and colds. 
Bumble-foot — an abscess on the sole of the foot, caused by bruising by jumping from 
the roost: treatment, if taken early, wash with strong vinegar, and apply tincture of 
cocaine; if the abscess is well developed, open by making two cuts, crossing thus, X; 
wash out all matter with warm water containing carbolic acid; apply nitrate of silver, 
ten grains to one ounce of distilled water. 
Canker — see Roup. 
Chicken Pox — small ulcers on the head and face: wash with carbolic soapsuds; anoint 
with vaseline or fresh lard. 
Cholera —a contagious disease of the bowels, caused by combined conditions of filthy 
quarters, improper food, and extreme heat. Most so-called cases of cholera are dysen- 
tery. Treatment of sick birds generally useless; apparently well birds should be given 
sulpho-carbolate of zinc in the drinking water, one-eighth of an ounce of the drug to a 
quart of water. 
Colds — aftect fowls variously, and if neglected, often lead to something serious; — 
give aconite in the drinking water, a dozen homeopathic pellets to a quart of water. A 
good remedy to keep on hand to use for colds, bronchitis, etc., is: equal parts cayenne 
pepper, ginger and mustard, mixed as stiffly as possible in lard, then flour worked in to 
make a stiff dough; form in slugs or pellets about the size of a small hazel nut; give by 
opening the mouth and dropping down the throat. A single treatment often cures; if it 
does not, it should be followed by another dose in twenty-four hours. 
If the cold is accompanied by puffing of the skin of the face, bathe the parts affected 
every two or three hours with warm water containing about 1 per cent carbolic acid ; keep 
in a warm dry place; at night rub with vaseline. 
For treatment of colds, see also 7 174. 
Constipation — caused by lack of exercise and of green food; in young chicks by too 
