The Diseases of Poultry. 239 



Catarrh or Common Cold. — This complaint is indicated 

 by the same symptoms as we find in human beings, namely, 

 a running at the nostrils, and a slight swelling of the eye. 

 It arises from cold or exposure, and if not attended to may 

 develop into roup or censumption, both of which should be 

 consulted for further information. For cure, the bird should be 

 kept in a warm place, and have doses of roup pills, or homoeo- 

 pathic tincture of aconite, and have nutritious food, rather 

 stimulating in its nature. 



Cholera. — See page 344. 



Consumption. — This is often an hereditary disease, and 

 when so is impossible to cure ; but it is also caused by damp, 

 dark, badly ventilated houses. Scrofulous tubercles form in 

 the lungs, and when the bird takes cold, that settles there. 

 The bird is seen to gradually waste away ; there is cough and 

 constant expectoration, and the poor thing soon dies, a mass 

 of bones and feathers. No bird suspected to have any seeds 

 of consumption in it should ever be bred from, but if the 

 disease is acquired, not hereditary, then it may be cured if 

 taken in time. Good housing, wholesome and abundant diet„ 

 are necessary, and capsules of cod-liver oil with quinine, or 

 Parish's chemical food, and capsules of cod-liver oil only, will 

 be the best treatment. We should, however, strongly urge 

 that any bird so affected, even if apparently cured, be not 

 bred from, as there is always danger of its transmitting the 

 disease to its progeny, and the system must be weakened. 



Cramp. — Chickens kept upon a clay soil, or in a damp 

 place, are often subject to cramp, which is known by the 

 toes of the birds beginning to curl in, and then the bird has 

 to walk or its knuckles. When discovered, the chicken 

 should be placed on a perfectly dry floor, and fed upon stimu- 

 lating foods. It will also be a help towards cure, if the feet 

 and legs are bathed with warm water, and afterwards rubbed 

 with turpentine, 



