LOOK FOR SYMPTOMS 473 



a safe method; for at some future time it may be dug up by a 

 dog, or accidentally plowed up, and the infection again spread 

 about the premises. Instead, such a carcass should be burned, 

 or put in quicklime. 



Indications of Illness. — The competent poultryman makes it 

 his business to note the physical condition of every bird, 

 every day — ^which is a much simpler task than it sounds. In 

 the early morning and at feeding times, it is an easy matter to 

 detect a bird that is feeling out of sorts. If a fowl remains on 

 the perches, with ruffled feathers, head drawn close to its body, 

 and is otherwise sluggish and disinterested, it should be taken 

 out of the pen and examined. Or if a fowl is seen to rub its eye 

 on its wing frequently, or if a soiled spot appears on its wing; 

 if it sneezes often, gasps for breath, mopes in the corners and has 

 a purplish comb — these conditions are all abnormal, and the 

 fowl should be removed for a closer examination and diagnosis. 



Detention Coop. — On a farm of any size there should be a 

 small house or coop isolated from the rest of the buildings, 

 which should be equipped with a few cages, or crates, and desig- 

 nated as a hospital, or detention ward. When a fowl is discovered 

 out of condition, if only with a cold, it should be removed to this 

 hospital, carefully examined for the nature of its ailment, and 

 treated accordingly. A small closet should be convenient, fitted 

 for the storage of bottles, clean rags, a sponge, basin, and so on. 

 With the knowledge of a few simple drugs and remedies many of 

 these hospital inmates can be promptly and permanently cured. 



Determine the Cause. — When an abnormal condition is first 

 discovered, the poultryman should analyze every symptom, not 

 only with the view to ascertaining the nature of the ailment, 

 but to determine the cause of the disorder. There is sure to be 

 a cause, and of course it should be immediately removed or cor- 

 rected, to prevent further trouble. It is then up to the atten- 

 dant to decide if the ailment is curable, and what the chances 

 are for an early recovery. If the chances are poor, he had better 

 stifle all sympathetic feelings and sentence the victim to be 

 executed — the hatchet. 



