COMMON DISEASES AXD TREATMENT 



167 



possessing good constitutional vigor and vitality and which 

 are properly managed. 



Symptoms. The comb and skin of the head and neck 

 turn very dark purple. 



Treatment. No successful cure for this disease has been 

 found; but free range and care not to overfeed are very im- 

 portant factors in keeping the flock free from this disease. 



Frozen comb. Frozen or frost-bitten combs frequently 

 occur in cold weather, 

 especially with birds hav- 

 ing large single combs. 

 Fowls having lopped sin- 

 gle combs or rose combs 

 are not so susceptible, 

 principally due to the 

 comb's being closer to 

 the head. 



Symptoms. The points 

 or parts of a comb that 

 have been frozen will turn 

 black soon after the comb 

 thaws out. Unless time- 

 ly treatment is applied, 

 the frozen parts will shrivel and drop off. 



Treatment. Applying snow or cold water to frozen 

 combs before they thaw out will frequently save them. 

 After being thawed by this method, vasehne should be 

 applied to the frozen parts at least once a day for several 

 days. 



Diarrhea in hens. Diarrhea, while not a serious afHic- 

 tion, should be checked as soon as possible, as it causes 

 quite a strain on the fowl and interferes with production. 



Symptoms. Diarrhea can readily be recognized by 

 the extreme watery condition of the droppings and the 



Figure 168. — The points and part of the blade 

 of the comb of this male bird have been 

 frosted. 



