POULTRY AILMENTS 



477 



only concern ourselves with the more common troubles herein- 

 after mentioned, together with their principal symptoms and 

 causes. 



Asthenia, or "Going Light." — A term applied to fowls that 

 persistently lose weight, become emaciated, anemic, weak and 

 unproductive. It is not a form of consumption, as some sup- 

 pose, but may be due to several causes. Sometimes it is the 

 result of lice or mites; at other times it is due to worms — this 

 is the most common cause; or the birds may be afflicted with 

 bacteria harbored in the 

 small intestine, which 

 subsist on the food con- 

 sumed by the fowls. On 

 investigation, if no defect 

 is found in the rations, one 

 of the birds should be 

 killed and examined for 

 worms. If many are 

 found, the emaciation is 

 probably due to this cause, 

 and the flock should be 

 treated accordingly. See 

 chapter on Worms. 



If no worms are found, 

 and the fowls are not 

 bothered with lice and 

 mites, and their rations 



and living quarters are O. K., the cause of the trouble is probably 

 infection by microbes mentioned above. In this case a slight in- 

 flammation may be noted. The treatment should be, first, the 

 removal of the bacteria by purgation, using Epsom salts, castor oil 

 or calomel, following which the flock should be given a tonic to 

 build up the system, and an abundance of easily digested foods. 

 At the same time look carefully into the housing conditions; 

 clean and disinfect everything. 



The following tonic is recommended: 30 grains each of pow- 



Fig. 300. — Indifferent type of feeder, 

 crow-like shape of head. 



Note 



