HEAD, THROAT AND LUNGS 



off the ground by making a strong effort, but in every case the head hangs 

 downward with the neck arched like an inverted U in a peculiar fashion. 

 In some cases- the symptom assumes a different guise and the bird instead 

 of having what is known as limberneck develops the condition known as 

 "wry-neck," a twisting backward of the head and neck upon the body, 

 the head sometimes being turned almost entirely around. 



Causes 



Both of these ailments arise from sitoilair causes. In the inajority 

 of cases they are due to intestinal irritation of some sort. The wry neck 

 is more likely to be a symptom of epileptic disease or direct brain and nerve 

 irritation, while limberneck more frequently occurs accompanying attacks 

 of colic, acute indigestion, irritation from intestinal parasites (worms), 

 crop inflammation or other similar troubles. Where not due to direct brain 

 or nerve disease such as epilepsy, a hereditary tendency to a disordered con- 

 dition of the nervous system, the disease is easily remedied. 



The most frequent causes of acute indigestion and colic are indiscre- 

 tions in feeding. Impure meat food or a too one-sided ration is a com- 

 mon cause of limberneck, resulting from acute indigestion or colic in small 

 chicks. Fright and over-exertion from fighting or being chased are also 

 causes. 



In chicks and fowls of all ages putrid meat, feeding upon large quan- 

 tities of maggots, or eating indigestible and poisonous substance are common 

 causes of limberneck. Where the birds either young or old have been fed 

 raw meat in any considerable quantity or have been running on old con- 

 taminated ground that has not been properly renovated, worm parasites 

 are a common cause of this trouble. The disease may be prevented by 

 careful feeding and the removal of all sources of infection. 



Treatment 



The following treatment will be found effective in the majority of 

 cases, and is undoubtedly the best for regular routine treatment. • 



When the case is first discovered administer a small dose of oil of tur- 

 pentine mixed with sweet oil. For small chicks from two to ten drops of 

 turpentine mixed with an equal amount of sweet oil will be found to be 

 sufficient according to age, while adult fowls wijl take from one to two tea- 

 spoonfuls of oil of turpentine mixed with an equal quantity of sweet oil. 

 Keep the bird warm and quiet. 



Fifteen minutes to half an hour after the dose of oil of turpentine give 

 warm sweet milk to which has been added a little ginger. Make in the same 

 manner that you would prepare ginger tea for a youngster who had an attack 

 of green apple colic, one teaspoonful of finely powdered pure ginger thor- 

 oughly mixed with half a cup of hot milk, and barely sweetened with a little 

 sugar. For small chicks give one-half to one teaspoonful every hour or 

 two. Adult fowls may have one to two tablespoonfuls at a dose. 



IS 



