Diseases Poultry are Liable to. 
115 
whole floor and roosts are thoroughly disinfected. All breeds of Poultry are more or less liable to it. There 
are two or three different remedies for this, such as thoroughly scrubbing the legs and feet with soap and 
warm water, afterwards anointing with sulphur ointment, repeating daily. Another which we have tried 
and proved effective is a teaspoonful of sulphur, ^ oz. of powdered bluestone, mixed with lard or grease, 
rubbing well into the scales and parts affected, and a week after the growth may easily be removed by 
scrubbing with a brush, using soap and warm water. Still another is to mix up lard, kerosene, and 
carbolic acid, a spoonful of the latter to half a pint each of the two former, dressing the legs and 
feet, and also painting the roosts with the mixture. Still another, which we have proved by lengthy 
experience to be as good as any, is to dress the bird's legs and feet with carbolic oil for a few days, when the 
growth can easily be removed by the use of soap and warm water. 
Enteritis. — This is an inflammatory disease of the small intestines, in very mild cases including only the 
mucous membrane ; but in severe cases, extending to 'all the layers of the bowels. It is not infectious, and if 
a number of birds are sick at the one time with the complaint, it can be traced to being exposed to the same 
conditions. It is caused by feeding too stimulating or irritant foods, to eating poisonous mineral or vegetable, 
or to the presence of large numbers of worms in the bowels. Unslaked lime, if in small lumps, and 
swallowed by the bird combines with the water in the crop and bowels, producing great heat and irritation. 
The symptoms are great weakness, the bird squatting on the ground in a listless manner, with eyes partially 
closed, and in a very feverish condition generally. The excrement is of a watery, mucous, stringy nature, 
sometimes yellow, and if blood is passed with the discharge, death quickly follows. If it is due to an 
irritant in the bowel, a dose of castor oil will often remove the cause ; if constipation is observed to be 
present part of the time, injections of warm milk and castor oil are excellent ; if traceable to worms, treat as 
directed for worms in this Chapter. In all cases add to one quart of drinking water, which should be boiled, 
a teaspoonful of sulpho-carbolate of zinc. Restrict the bird to a bread and milk diet alone for several days, 
removing all grit out of reach. 
Epilepsy. — This affection takes the form of spasms or convulsions, the bird often falling about, the 
appetite remaining good. These epileptic fits are due to a rush of blood to the head, and can be attributed 
to an over-fat condition, or when overcrowded in filthy and badly-ventilated houses. Holding the bird's head 
under a stream of cold water for a few moments will often arrest the disease. If the bird is then isolated, 
and fed sparingly on soft food for a few days, recovery may be anticipated. Should this fail, bleed the bird 
by making an incision under the wing, or the comb or wattles may be cut to draw blood and relieve the 
tension on the blood-vessels. After relieving the bird, it should be given 2 grains of bromide of potassium 
every three or four hours, and housed in a secluded spot, reducing the quantity of food given, adding each 
day to the soft food a pinch of Epsom salts, and encouraging the bird to take plenty of exercise. 
Eruptions. — The Fowl suffering from this disease has a white scurf over the head and comb, often the 
neck being quite denuded of feathers. This is often traceable to filthy houses, decayed food, impure water, 
and overcrowding. It is easily treated, however, by giving a teaspoonful of castor oil inwardly, treating the 
eruptive mass outside with vaseline, feeding the bird on good, wholesome food, and placing a little iron tonic 
in the drinking water. 
Feather-eating, though not exactly a disease, is worthy of a place in this Chapter. This is often caused 
by laziness on the part of the birds and also the owner — over feeding and crowded flocks, nothing to do for 
a living but to bolt the food in the shortest possible time that the careless owner or feeder supplies in such 
generous quantities, allowing them to stand around ready for mischief, and develop this disgusting habit. 
The person who overcrowds the Poultry, whether in the house or run, allows lice to get a lodging place upon 
the Fowls. Lice eggs are commonly laid upon the fluff near the vent. The lice irritate that part of the 
body, and in picking at the lice and " nits," the hen gets a taste of the substance in the shafts of the feathers. 
Other hens notice what is taking place, and take a hand in helping to remove the feathers, cocks often 
Standing while the hens literally pluck therri alive. Birds that have contracted this depraved habit, even if 
