Diseases of Poultry. 
189 
very heavily on the ground, making in dry weather a very perceptible noise, which, without any other 
symptom being piesent, is suspicious, and always induces me to watch the bird anxiously. If, with 
this, the bird squats much, it should be separated at once, and the opium treatment commenced, 
meat being also given daily, and pepper added to the food. If the disease is not attended to, the 
bird ultimately acquires a most ungainly gait and attitude ; when standing, though lower in 
statuie, the neck and the body are very upright, and as the disease progresses the tail sweeps the 
ground, and may even come forward between the shanks of the lcms ” 
b 
Crop-bound. If the feeding be careless, the crop may become so distended with hard grain, 
that when swelled afterwards by the moist secretions intended to assist digestion, the outlet 
into the stomach is hopelessly closed by the pressure. With patience, an operation is seldom 
necessaiy ; but some warm water should be poured down the throat, after which the distended 
viscus is to be gently and patiently kneaded with the hands, for an hour or more if needful. 
However hard at first, it will generally yield and become soft after a time ; and when relaxed, a 
half tea-spoonful of Epsom salts should be given, and the bird left in an empty pen. Usually there 
will be no further difficulty, but the fowl so affected must be fed sparingly for several days, to 
alloiv the organ to contract , otherwise a permanent distention may result. 
If such palliative means fail, an incision must be made near the top of the crop. Select a spot 
for your incision free from any large vessels, which if cut through will cause troublesome bleeding 
and weaken the bird. The incision in most cases should be an inch lone. The 
handle or bowl of a very small tea-spoon is convenient to remove the contents ; 
and the best plan is to remove everything, and then to pass the finger (greased, 
and the nail pared smooth) into the crop, and to feel the outlet. It is quite 
possible that a bit of bone or other matter may be the cause of obstruction ; 
and if this is left, the operation will be useless. Then have what is called a 
glover’s needle ready, charged with horsehair , and put four or five stitches into 
the inner membrane, drawing it carefully and closely together, and at least three 
stitches in the outer skin. Place the stitches in the outer skin in such a 
position that they may be within the inner stitches, as shown in Fig. 54. Feed 
subsequently on sopped bread not very moist, and do not allow the bird water 
for twenty-four hours, as it is apt to find its way through the wound, and delay, 
if not prevent, the healing. There is not the slightest necessity to remove 
the horsehair subsequently. The operation should not be delayed if the other 
measures do not succeed in forty-eight hours, as delay adds to the danger ; and a sour horrible 
stench from the bird’s mouth is a plain indication in favour of operating at once. 
In cases of permanent distention, which is unhealthy as well as unsightly, the only remedy 
is to open the crop somewhat as above, but lower, and remove entirely a piece of bay-leaf shape, 
afterwards sewing up. This is quite effectual, and not dangerous. 
CROP, Sort or Swelled. — There is another form of distension of the same organ, in 
which the contents are of a soft or fluid character. The usual cause we believe to be excessive 
drinking after thirst, by which the inner coats lose their “tone” and are unable to contract 
properly on the food — so that in some cases the organ remains distended even with air. We 
have had only moderate success in treating this complaint when left for any time unnoticed ; 
but recent cases may generally be mastered with careful treatment. Put the bird by itself, and 
feed it three times a day with a very small portion of soft food thoroughly cooked ; allowing 
