Jan. 1907. J 



41 



Lire Sloe/.-. 



Favus or Ringworm .—This disease which is very comm on amongst poultry is 

 caused by a parasite, a favus alophophyte, distinct from that of man and smaller 

 mammalia. It is usually first noticed on the comb or wattles. Small whitish grey 

 patches form which gradually extend. The patches are covered by a scaly white crust 

 which if removed leaves the skin sore. If neglected the disease spreads to the neck 

 and body. There is a peculiar mouldy odour about birds badly affected. The 

 disease causes debility and loss of condition, and in advanced cases death. The 

 parasite can be easily seen under the microscope if a little of the crust is examined 

 moistened with water containing a little acetic acid. 



Treatment.— Daily washing with carbolic soap (taking care to protect the 

 eyes) followed by washing with 1 in 1000 corrosive s-ublimate solution will probably 

 cure in a few days. Acetic acid and water, turpentine and oil, Tinct. Iodine, sulphur, 

 creolin, or Stockholm tar may be tried if necessary. 



FeatjiDr Eating and Pecking Comb -Occasionally fowls closely confined 

 acquire the habit of plucking feathers from each and other until they are more 

 or less bald, or pecking at the comb until a sore is formed. Sometimes vermin 

 are the cause and these should be looked for and treated. It may be due to 

 want of animal food or, as is thought by some fanciers, to want of salt and 

 who say a little salted meat will cure the habit. Animal and vegetable food 

 should be given. In the case of a sore comb the affected bird should be put 

 in a cage by itself and treated until cured. Ber.zoated lard is about the best 

 soothing and healing application. The guilty bird or birds should be discovered 

 and removed from the run for a time. The beak may be filed away in such a manner 

 as to prevent it quite closing at the tip making it impossible for the bird to hold a 

 feather. Some people put a small feather through the nose for some days or put 

 a solution of quassia on the parts pecked which on account of its bitter taste makes 

 the habit disagreeable. A little vaseline or castor oil with a little eucalyptus oil 

 added may be applied to the bare patches to promote the growth of new feathers. 



Egg Eating.— The habit of egg eating is sometimes acquired by poultry. 

 Most owners have a favourite method of curing it such as putting china eggs for the 

 culprit to peck at, cutting the beak, or by blowing an egg and filling it with mustard 

 paste. Plenty of green food should be given and a supply of oyster shells provided 

 as the habit may be due to the want of some particular elements in the food. A 

 little animal food should also be given such as meat or blood. 



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