DISEASES. 91 



disease peculiar to chickenhood, and is occasioned 

 ty small worms imbedded in the throat. 



They can be removed by introducing a feather, 

 stripped to within an inch of the point, into the 

 windpipe ; if turned round quickly, the parasites 

 will be drawn up with it. It is a difficult opera- 

 tion, and often fails in effecting a cure. So, un- 

 less in the case of very valuable birds, I do not 

 advise the amateur to ha,ve recourse to it. If the 

 chicken gapes, give it a few drops of castor oil, 

 and occasionally a small piece of bread soaked in 

 spirit of camphor; feed with boiled milk and 

 bread or custard, given by hand until the bird 

 recovers its usual appetite. 



I must repeat, however, that a constant supply 

 of fresh water, and perfect cleanliness, ensure 

 good health : prevention is better than cure. 



Sometimes fowls become crop-bound, when (to 

 save the bird) you must make a small incision, 

 remove th,e mass of undigested food, and sew up 

 the wound with fine silk thread. Give a table- 

 spoonful of castor oil, separate the invalid from its 

 companions until the wound is perfectly healed, 

 and during this time feed entirely with soft food. 



