Diseases of Poultry. 
197 
This is to be kept in a closely-stopperecl bottle, to prevent slaking of the lime or evaporation of 
the volatile constituents. When required, two or three table-spoonfuls are placed in a depression 
in the centre of the coop, and then a sharp blast from the nose of a bellows blows it all up into the 
air, filling the coop and entering the nostrils of the birds. It is said that one application generally 
cures, but that if not, two, or at most three, at intervals of twenty-four hours, will surely do so. 
We cannot speak positively of this treatment, but it fairly corresponds with the preceding, and 
appears reasonable and promising. Several advertised remedies resemble the above. 
Giddiness. — A fowl will sometimes all of a sudden run round in a circle, or stagger about as 
if drunk, from congestion or some other pressure on the brain. The immediate remedy is to hold 
its head for a good while under a stream of water, such as a water-tap ; but the system should 
be immediately reduced by a dose of Epsom salts, or fifteen grains of jalap with one of calomel, 
and a sparer diet. Such cases occasionally appear to become chronic. All that can be done for 
them is to keep quiet, on rather low diet, with two or three doses daily of three to six grains of 
bromide of potassium. If recovery does not follow in a few weeks the bird should be killed. 
GOUT. — This is rather liable to be mistaken for leg- weakness ; but may be distinguished by 
the legs and feet feeling hot, with evident swelling, and a more or less inflamed appearance. It is 
chiefly found in Asiatic breeds. The bird should be removed to a warm, dry place, and given a 
dose of jalap or calomel to open the bowels, after which a half-grain pill of extract of colchicum 
should be administered twice a day. The legs and joints may be well rubbed with sweet oil daily 
with benefit. Sprains from jumping off a perch may be mistaken for gout, but should be treated 
by stimulating liniments and rest. 
LEG-WEAKNESS. — This is a very frequent affection in cockerels of the large breeds, being 
evidently caused by outgrowing the strength. It may arise either from muscular weakness or 
from a deficiency of bony matter ; and the symptoms usually manifest themselves between the 
ages of three and six months. The free use of bone-dust, as already recommended, is almost 
a preventive of this affection, and on that ground alone is strongly to be advised ; but cure is 
not difficult by the following prescription, for which we were indebted some years ago to Mr. 
Hinton: — Sulphate of iron, i grain; strychnine, x \ of a grain; phosphate of lime, 5 grains; 
sulphate of quinine, \ grain. To be made into a pill, and administered three times daily, morn- 
ing, noon, and night. Under this treatment strength will rapidly return, and after a week or 
two the prescription should be changed for “Parrish’s Chemical Food,” given in the water, say 
a table-spoon fill to each pint, or half a teaspoonful in twice its bulk of water, morning and 
evening. If observed early, we should commence with the Chemical Food, and use no other 
medicine. We have no hesitation in speaking of this as the most valuable tonic we know, where 
time can be given for its operation. It is very effective in invigorating the constitutions of 
weakly breeds, such as Spanish or Dorkings. 
Lice. — I n other parts of this work we have stated how insect vermin may be kept from a 
yard generally ; but it may happen that individual birds, or especially broods of young chickens, 
are so infested that personal measures are necessary for relief. When small chickens droop without 
apparent cause, lice may be suspected. Relief can be given immediately. Put some oil in a 
saucer, and taking up every chicken in turn, put some with the tip of the finger on the poll, at 
the back of the neck, under the wings, and here and there about the body. Do the same with 
