CHAPTER XXXVII 



Cramp 



Unfortunately for Pheasants, cramp is a rather common 

 disease, but it must not be confused with that spasmodic con- 

 traction of the muscles bearing the same name in the human 

 subject. Nearly all game-rearers and poultry-men are 

 acquainted with this complaint, which is specially prone to 

 attack young birds, it may be only a few days old. It is 

 generally during the second or third week that most birds are 

 affected. In some localities cramp is particularly prevalent, 

 and seems to be associated with the soil. A wet soil, no 

 matter whether such moisture is beyond the surface, or in the 

 sub-soil, will, especially if east winds are prevailing, be almost 

 certain to be followed by cramp in some of the broods. 

 Sudden changes of temperature are, without doubt, " exciting " 

 causes of cramp. Klein regards the disease as being due to 

 the presence of micro-organisms circulating in the blood, and 

 if this theory is correct, it follows that the trouble is of an 

 infective nature, although the author is not aware that any 

 positive evidence has been adduced to support this statement. 

 If due to infection of the system by germs, it does in certain 

 features resemble a malady affecting foals, known as " Joint- 

 ill," and like the latter complaint, it makes its appearance 

 quite suddenly. It is denoted by a lameness in one leg, the 

 bird being stiff in the limb, and dragging its leg along the 

 ground. The opposite leg soon becomes affected in the same 

 manner, and the young birds usually die from exhaustion on 

 the third or fourth day. The first or second thigh bones are 

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