271 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



of course, diminished, the membrane which lines the 

 windpipe is much thickened, and many of the finer 

 branches are probably obstructed in a greater or less 

 degree. 



In the second variety, by fright, from chasing the 

 fowls to catch them, or by seizing them suddenly, or by 

 their fighting with each other, a blood vessel is not un- 

 frequently ruptured, as is proved by a drop of blood ap- 

 pearing at the beak, speedy death being the usual con- 

 sequence. If this does not happen, the breathing 

 continues difficult and apparently painful, and a com- 

 plete cure is rarely effected. The rupture, not of a 

 blood vessel, but of one or more of the air cells, occa- 

 sions considerable vacuities, which are never completely 

 emptied of air on expiration. When this is the case, 

 the fowl not being able to expel the air at one expira- 

 tion, another immediately takes place, with a short in- 

 spiration between, causing the panting and gasping 

 already mentioned. 



Confirmed asthma, caused by the bursting of air cells 

 or blood vessels, is of course incurable, though it is not 

 always fatal — fowls so affected often living for several 

 years, otherwise in tolerable health. It certainly, how- 

 ever, injures the utility of cocks, which are the most 

 subject'to it from its being brought on by fighting. 



FEVER. 



The chief symptom in fever in fowls, is increased rap- 

 idity of the current of the blood, and this, of course, may 

 be occasioned by various causes. 'One of the most 

 common is skirmishing and fighting, by which the crea- 

 tures are often greatly agitated, and not unfrequently 

 killed outright. This fever is sometimes increased, by 

 buffing the combatants about with a handkerchief, to 

 induce them to leave off. A more effectual remedy, 

 which at the same time will often stop the fever, is to 

 plunge them over head in cold water, or throw cold wa- 

 ter over them from a garden pot, or even from a bucket. 

 If this is done, care must be taken to have them dried 

 as soon as possible, by removing them within doors, 

 should the Weather be damp or cold. 



