Diseases Poultry are Liable to. 
117 
pouring a spoonful of carbolic acid upon the brick. Two or three applications will kill the worms, but the 
greatest care must be taken that the chickens are not suffocated. Placing a feather or camel's hair brush, 
dipped in oil of turpentine or parafifin, is an effectual remedy, but a very dangerous one. If any improve- 
ments are needful in the sanitary arrangements of the house or surroundings, they should be immediately 
done, and the birds should not be crowded, adding to the drinking water one teaspoonful of carbolic acid to 
each gallon, feeding the chickens with as much onion as they will eat. Treat all diseased birds until 
thoroughly cured, killi/ij all worms that are extracted, and burning the birds that die. To treat a- case of 
pneumonia or bronchitis with carbolic acid or lime in error for Gapes would be certain death. The presence 
of the worms themselves is the only sure " sign," or evidence, that the birds are suffering from "Gapes." 
Gastritis. — This is an inflammation of the second stomach, or enlargement of the eesophagus just 
before it empties into the gizzard. It miy b^ caused by long-continued over-feeding, by irritant substances, 
or by the use of too much spices and condiments. The symptoms are constipation alternated with diarrhoea, 
great general weakness, rapid breathing, and poor appetite. To treat, remove cause if at all possible to discover 
it, giving rice water to drink, to which has been added one grain of arsenite of copper to each quart of the 
rice water, feeding on a spare diet, to which may be added a little quinine. 
Gout. — This may be distinguished by the legs and feet feeling hot, and with a swollen and inflamed 
appearance. The bird should be housed in a warm, dry place, giving a \ teaspoonful of Epsom salts, after 
which a half-grain pill of extract of colchicum should be given twice daily. The legs and joints should be 
well rubbed with eucalyptus oil each day, feeding the bird on plain, soft food, and with an ample supply of 
green food, adding a little iron tonic to the drinking water. 
Indigestion, or Dyspepsia, arises from the result of mistakes in careless feeding, or housing of the birds. 
Fowls fed in small yards should have time to digest one meal before another is given. Young chickens 
ought not to be fed oftener than every two hours, and grown birds need only two meals per day if green 
food is supplied additional at mid-day. Want of exercise in small pens, or want of opportunity to seek for 
grain or insect life, is a prime factor in causing indigestion. T/ie entire absence of green food laill in a short 
titne develop dyspepsia. In the latter condition the bird's appetite becomes changeable, constipation 
common, and the general appearance of the bird dull and listless. Good housing, pure water, regular 
feeding of correct food, plenty of grit and exercise will cure nearly every case of indigestion. A teaspoonful 
of sulphate of magnesia to each pint of the drinking water given for a week, and then changed to the iron 
tonic, will greatly assist recovery. 
Leg Weakness. — This the majority of young birds of the heavy breeds are distinctly liable to, the 
cockerels more especially suffering. This is caused by too rapid growth of flesh in proportion to bone 
formed, with the consequence that the bird's legs give way, and if not immediately treated, or allowed to 
squat about on the damp grass or ground, often results in permanent injury. The birds affected should be 
fed liberally with good food, to which may be added bone-forming material, such as bone dust or green cut 
bone, with a little fresh meat minced daily, and a half-teaspoonful of Parrish's Chemical Food given night 
and morning for about three days ; then, missing a day, again repeating, keeping the bird while under 
treatment in a perfectly dry house or run. This is not a disease, and is easily cured if treated within a 
reasonable time ; if neglected for a longer period, permanent distortion of the knee joints takes place, the 
bird being disfigured for life. 
Zzc^.— There is a considerable amount of knowledge yet to be learned about the insect pests which, 
under certain circumstances, infest all varieties of Poultry. There is nothing yet known about the period of 
incubation of lice eggs, which may be found in a badly-infested specimen in clusters at the fluff and roots of 
feathers, especially above the throat and neck, vent and under parts. If it were known how long those eggs 
must lie there before they hatch, and how long is the " period of infancy," i.e., what period elapses between 
the hatching of the lice eggs and the arrival at maturity to produce more eggs, it would then be an easy matter 
to take measures to destroy them. It is an undoubted fact that 90 per cent, of the deaths in chickenhood 
are directly traceable to lice, so that the question is one which requires forethought and unremitting attention 
