PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



back down. Sever the skin holding the thighs to the body, 

 spread out the legs and tack them to the board. Thi.= will hold 

 the body in position while further work progresses. Cut 

 through the skin and flesh just below the point of keel. Lift 

 the keel and at the same time use the shears and make a cut 

 on each side from point of keel through skin and ribs to the 

 shoulder. By cutting through the caracoids with the tin-shears 

 the breast can be removed. Now make a longitudinal cut from 

 point of keel to vent, cutting through skin and muscle, being 

 careful not to cut the intestines. Spread the skin outward 

 and tack to the board on each side. A full view is now given 

 of the viscera, with no feathers to interfere in the examination. 

 Abnormal conditions may appear at first view, but a critical 

 examination should be made of all the organs. Note the heart. 

 Is it enlarged, or the pericardium filled with liquid? Examine 

 the liver. Are there any spots or discoloration? Is the liver 

 enlarged or is it shrunken? Note the intestines, whether they 

 are inflamed or discolored or enlarged. Examine the kidneys 

 lying in the sacral region. So also, other organs and systems 

 should receive careful study. If worms are suspected it will 

 be advisable to remove the digestive tract and place it upon 

 a clean sheet of paper. It can then be slit from cloaca to 

 proventriculus. 



Now, with the facts at hand, both of external symptoms and 

 internal conditions, it will be possible to make a reasonably 

 accurate diagnosis. 



After the diagnosis, what? The remedy must be deter- 

 mined and applied. Some assistance along this line can be 

 obtained from Chapter XIV. If a more exhaustive study is 

 desired there are valuable books on poultry diseases, such as 

 those of "Blair," "Dr. Salmon," and "Pearl, Surface, and 

 Curtis" which can be secured from any poultry journal com- 

 pany. The following list contains remedies that will be useful 

 for all kinds of livestock and many of them are valuable for 

 family use. 



Poultry Remedies 



Epsom Salts, MgSO^.— There is no more valuable drug for 

 the poultry farm than Epsom Salts. It is indicated in liver dis- 

 eases, rheumatism, gout and many intestinal affections. One- 

 half to one teaspoonful to a fowl, either in mash or water or 

 one pound to 100 hens in mash or water are suitable doses. 



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