Diseases of Poultry. 
187 
hard, and the incision should be made in the form of a cross, when a sharp squeeze will generally 
expel the offending matter through the wound. In all cases, until a cure be effected, the perch 
should not exceed six inches from the ground, and be padded with carpet, so as to take off as 
much pressure as possible ; or it will be better still if the bird is compelled to sleep on straw. 
Other laige breeds occasionally suffer from abscess in the foot, but in these cases some injury 
or other special irritating cause can generally be detected. In such cases the matter formed is 
usually of the consistency of cheese, and as often as not the tumour extends through the upper side 
of the foot, sometimes forming a mass the size of a cherry in the web between the toes. These are 
easily exti acted, and usually heal without difficulty or showing any tendency to return. 
CANKER. — See Ulceration and Diphtheria, 
Catarrh. All fowls aie subject to a common cold, shown in the usual way by more or less 
discharge fiom the eyes or nostrils. It is not dangerous, but if neglected may issue in roup. 
Remove to a warm place, and drop ten drops of Fleming’s B.P. tincture of aconite, in a quarter 
of a pint of the drinking water, renewed twice a day. Feed moderately on soft food only, mixed 
warm, and seasoned with the No. 1 mixture given at page 14 1. If not better in a few days, and 
especially if worse, treat as for roup, the presence of which may then be suspected. 
CHOLERA. — During the last few years American and Continental yards have been devastated 
by a disease previously unknown, to which the name of Chicken Cholera has been generally given ; 
and of late some cases have occurred in England. In true chicken cholera there is a sudden and 
violent accession of thirst, accompanied with diarrhoea ; the droppings being at first of a greenish 
character, and by degrees becoming thin and whitish. Great weakness becomes rapidly manifested, 
the fowl “ falling about,” usually by the water-fountain ; and in some cases cramps also supervene. 
The bird also presents a peculiar “ anxious ” look about the face. 
As to causes, it will nearly always be found that there has been exposure to the sun without 
effectual shade, and that the drinking-water has become warm. In such circumstances the drop- 
pings have become offensive in smell, the grass in the runs has probably withered, and care has 
not been bestowed on supplying other and fresh green food. It must always be remembered that 
the regular supply of fresh green meat is the great preventive of diarrhoea in fowls. We never 
heard of a case of true cholera where cool shade was always accessible, fresh cool water provided, 
and green food looked after daily. At the same time, it has been clearly established, by the 
researches of Toussaint and Pasteur, that the disease is specific and contagious, being due to a 
well-marked organism which infests the blood ; and the above considerations only apply to the 
spread of the malady. 
The disease runs its course so rapidly — death resulting in most cases in from twelve to thirty- 
six hours — that treatment is generally too late : but if diagnosed at an early stage recovery may 
be expected in nearly half of the cases from the administration every three hours of 
Rhubarb 5 grains. 
Cayenne Pepper 2 „ 
Laudanum . . . . • • • • • .10 drops. 
administering midway between each dose a tea-spoonful of brandy diluted with rather less than 
its bulk of water, into which have been dropped five drops of M'Dougall’s Fluid Carbolate* 
or three grains of salicine. Recovery is generally as rapid as the attack. 
• The admirable preparation here referred to is a neutral solution of carbolate of lime, and sulphite of ma<;ne;ia. 
