RELIABLE POULTRY REMEDIES 



Obtain a rubber tube about the size of a lead pencil and attach to 

 one end a tin or' glass funnel. Provide about a pint of luke warm water, 

 moisten the rubber tube in this and introduce it into the crop, passing it 

 through the mouth and down the throat, taking care to avoid the wind- 

 pipe. Pour a quantity of warm water into the funnel and allow it to flow 

 slowly into the crop, gradually working the contents of the crop with the 

 fingers until the whole is soft, then turn the bird up side down and by work- 

 ing the crop make it vomit the obstructing mass. Thife is much more simple 

 than cutting open the crop. 



After treating give the bird a drink of flaxseed tea or a little warm 

 water and feed sparingly on soft food for a few days. Give a tablet of nux 

 vomica and sulphur comp. (1-100 of a grain drug strength each) morning 

 and night until the bird is able to digest its food normally. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE CROP 



Inflammation of the crop is caused by an irritation of retained food 

 or from the effects of foreign substances swallowed. Irritating materials, 

 such as paint skins, rough-on-rats and pieces of unslaked lime, produce 

 the trouble through direct contact with the mucous lining of the crop. 

 The feeding of too large a quantity of black or red pepper in the mash has 

 caiBsed inflamed crops, as well as trouble with the egg functions. With a 

 crop that is tender, and even painful, the hen is restless, moving about with- 

 out aim, giving onp the impression that there is trouble with digestion. 

 Now and then the bird may he seen trying to swallow when it has taken 

 no food for hours. The motioi^s of breathing are jerky, made so by the 

 pulling of the muscles on the crop. 



Treatment 



If the cause is recent, still getting in its work, try to empty the crop. 

 If the contents are small, it may be well to dilute them by pouring into 

 the mouth a few spoonfuls of water and then empty as before. If behind 

 the trouble is the effect, of air-slaked Ume, give weak vinegar water; if phos- 

 phorus (rough on rats), give magnesia. Having emptied the crop, give 

 flaxseed tea and keep the birds on simple diet for a week. 



Dr. J. Woodroffe Hill's treatment is: "Muscilaginous abluminous 

 fluids, such as barley-water, milk, and isinglass, or a thin solution of gum, 

 should be freely administered after first evacuating the crop. Should 

 phosphorus have been taken, magnesia should be given, followed by tur- 

 pentine mixed in cream. Oil being a solvent of phosphorus, must on no 

 account be administered. Lead is often a cause of poultry poisoning when 

 paintiers are about. The crop should be immediately evacuated, and half 

 a teaspoonful of sulphate of magnesia and five minims of sulphuric acid, 

 mixed in a wineglassful of water, be administered without delay. In a 

 couple of hours, five grains of iodide of potassium may be given in a des- 

 sertspoonful of water. Afterwards feed on mucilaginous liquids. 



"If purging commences, give a teaspoonful of castor oil, with a grain 

 of opium. Crude or unslaked lime is an irritant poison to fowls, produc- 



72 



