I20 POUI,TRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



Diagnosis. — Pearson (Diseases of Poultry) describes the be- 

 havior of the bird during the fit as follows: "The fowl will 

 make beating movements with its wings, its legs will draw up 

 and it will fall down, sometimes turn over on its back, or it may 

 stand upright with its legs apart, head turned backward and 

 mouth and eyes opening and closing spasmodically." 



This spasm passes away after a time and leaves the bird in a 

 normal condition. 



Etiology. — It is often impossible to discover any cause of the 

 disease. It is said to be sometimes caused by tumors on the 

 brain and sometimes by intestinal worms. 



Treatment. — The only cases that can be treated are those 

 caused by the presence of intestinal worms. An afifected bird 

 should be put up and given a laxative and if intestinal worms 

 are passed treat the patient for the removal of these parasites 

 (P- 79)- 



The birds may live some time with occasional fits and may 

 recover. Cases caused by intestinal worms are definitely cured 

 by removing the parasites. 



