370 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
and the relieving of a great deal of the suffering which has too often been 
met by a fateful waiting for the course of nature to bring about a doubtful 
cure or certain death. The successful treatment of one pure-bred fowl will 
be an ample reward for the study required by this entire treatise. The 
omission of technical and undefined terms is a prominent feature and, being 
a constant aid to the reader in his investigations, will be highly appreciated, 
The common fowl is taken as the basis of this work, but the remarks 
are to be applied to other fowls when a given disease is common to them. 
Some disorders, however, which are peculiar to one species receive separate 
mention and treatment when they seem to demand it. 
HEALTH OF POULTRY. 
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” 
applies as well to the present subject as to others. Most diseases of poultry 
may be prevented by a proper observance of hygienic regulations in regard 
to food, shelter and general care, and the brief remarks upon health will be 
among the most valuable that can be made. 
The Coop and Yard.—lit is all-important that over-crowding be 
avoided, since it is a prolific source of destructive epidemics in fowls no 
less thanin man. They require a rapid change of air, as they are other- 
wise subjected to influences which favor the development of the germs of 
disease. A flock of twenty-five chickens, or a less number of larger fowls, 
should be provided with a coop having an area of at least one hundred and 
fifty square feet, though a lot of an acre will be a large enough run for four 
times that number. It must not be assumed that the flock can be increased 
at will if only a corresponding addition to the space be made. It is pre- 
judicial to keep larger numbers together, since the damaging effects of the 
exhalations, droppings and impurities of the air can not be counteracted. 
The separation of a large flock into divisions, with a reasonable space be- 
tween them, is necessary to the well-being of poultry. 
Sandy or gravelly soil is the best for the fowl-house. To secure a dry 
floor, it is best to raise an artificial mound of earth on which to locate the 
building. If convenient, you may put in broken bricks, stone and other 
elean, permanent refuse, covering it with some inches of gravel and sand, 
and finishing with sandy or loamy soil, beaten down firmly and smoothly to 
insure ease in cleansing. Heaps of fine coal-ashes or sand should be kept 
in some part of the inclosure as a suitable place for the fowls to dust them- 
selves. Finely pulverized clay or loam is also excellent material for this 
purpose. : 
The location should be well drained. Even for ducks and geese that 
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