DISEASES OF CHICKENS 151 
Lack of supplied grit is one cause. Too much 
meat often causes it and a ration of too much 
corn will also do it. Change the ration, clean 
the house and put 10 grains of sulphocarbo- 
late of zinc to the pint of water. It should 
cure the birds. Diarrhea is evidenced by the 
color of the droppings, which become yellow 
and red in streaks as well as thin and watery. 
Gapes, I have never had in my flock that 
I know of. It comes from the fowls eating 
worms from the soil of a chicken yard which 
has been used as such for some years. The 
worm establishes itself in the wind-pipe of 
the chicken, causing irritation that the bird 
tries to relieve by stretching its neck and 
coughing. Young chicks are mostly affected, 
old fowls seldom. The worm is removed 
with a horsehair, a feather or other small 
hook, but the removal often injures the 
chick. Numerous other diseases affect chick- 
ens but to distinguish them will require study 
and experience. 
A pen should be provided as a hospital for 
any sick birds, which should be removed to 
it as soon as seen to be ailing; for one sick 
hen may cause a lot of damage. 
