198 DISEASES OF POUI,TRY. 



CHAPTER X. 



Diseases of the Feet and Legs. 



LEG WEAKNESS— RHEUMATISM AND GOUT— SUPERFICIAI, 

 SORES — CORNS — DEEP BRUISES AND ABSCESSES — SCA- 

 BIES OF THE I/EGS AND FEET, SCALY LEGS. 



LEG WEAKNESS. 



^fc*" EG weakness is a term which is popularly 

 ■I used to designate any condition in which 

 /^^F birds find it difficult or impossible to sup- 

 port themselves upon their legs. It may 

 develop in young chickens kept in brooders in which 

 the heat is not properly distributed or where there is 

 too much bottom heat, also in those which are kept 

 constantly upon wooden floors. It is often seen in 

 heavy cockerels, and also occurs in flocks which have 

 been forced or which are kept in badly ventilated and 

 damp houses. 



This trouble is probably in most cases of a rheu- 

 matic nature, affecting the muscles, tendons and 

 joints. Frequently it consists only of bruises of the 

 feet; while, sometimes, its nature is obscure and 

 difficult to understand. 



Symptoms. — The disease may come on gradually 

 or suddenly. Iri the former case, there is first seen 

 an unsteadiness in the walk or lameness which be- 

 comes more aggravated, until the bird, instead of 

 standing upon its feet, sits down upon its legs-even 



