The Diseases of Poultry. 237 



but it will generally be found cheaper in the long run to kill 

 it. Especially is this so with roup, which is a most 

 infectious and fatal disease ; and when it once gets into a 

 yard, is very difficult indeed to get rid of. In any case, 

 when a bird is seen to be ailing, it should be put somewhere 

 by itself, so that it may not be near the other fowls ; and 

 should the complaint from which it is suffering be a con- 

 tagious or infectious one, then probably the other birds can 

 be kept free from it ; but if it is not, no harm will have 

 been done. This is a rule which should never be broken ; 

 and, if the attendant will every day look round the fowls, he 

 will soon see if any are moping or refusing their food, and if 

 these are removed, as we have suggested, disease may and 

 will, in many cases, be kept down. 



There can be little doubt that diseases have been greatly 

 fostered and increased by the present system of keeping 

 fowls. Naturally birds are subject to but few diseases ; but 

 the feeding upon rich or unsuitable foods, over-crowding and 

 keeping upon the same ground for a long period, gradual 

 weakening of the system by in-breeding, and exposure by 

 sending to shows, all have had the tendency to make the 

 birds more subject to various forms of disease, to which at 

 one time they wene entire strangers. Hence the necessity 

 for treating fowls in a common-sense manner ; for by this 

 means much may be done in the way of preventing disease, 

 which is at all times much better than cure, and much easier 

 also. It would be beyond our province to go very deeply 

 into the treatment of diseases, but for facility of reference 

 we will give them in alphabetical order. 



Apoplexy.- -Birds, which have been apparently in good 

 health, are sometimes found lying on the floor of the fowl- 

 house, being unable to move, having fallen from their perches. 

 This is apoplexy, and is the result of over-feeding, by which we 



