DISEASES OF POUIvTRY. 179 



ment of the birds. The older birds, but not the hens 

 with young chickens, may be anointed about the 

 heads, under the wings, and around the vent with an 

 ointment made by thoroughly mixing, a teaspoonful of 

 flowers of sulphur with an ounce of lard. Some use 

 instead of this ointment or in combination with it in - 

 secticide powder, which is blown or dusted into the 

 feathers. This operation is best performed by holding 

 the bird by the legs, head downwards, so that the 

 tendency of the feathers will be to fall away from the 

 body. Then apply the powder thoroughly with a 

 dredging box or a powder bellows. 

 If the bird is held over a large 

 piece of paper the powder which 

 fails to adhere to the feathers and 

 skin can be saved and used a 

 second time. The powders most 

 generally used for this purpose are 

 pyrethrum, stavesacre seeds, and 

 flowers of sulphur. It is con- 

 sidered a good plan to moisten the 

 roots of the feathers with soapy 

 water in order to make the pyreth - 

 rum or stavesacre powder adhere. Some poultrymen 

 dip their fowls in a solution containing one per cent 

 carbolic acid. This solution is made by mixing IJ^ 

 ounces of pure carbolic acid with 1 gallon of 

 hot water. Larger quantities may be made in 

 the same proportion. The solution is allowed to 

 cool and is then put in a vessel suitable for immersing 

 the bird to be treated. The fowls should be held in 

 this liquid for about a minute and care should be taken 

 to wet every portion of the body and head. Creolin 

 will prob&bly prove more satisfactory for this treat- 



