Diseases of Poultry . 
201 
consists ot sulphate of copper, half a grain ; cayenne pepper, one grain ; hydrastin, one-third 
grain ; copaiba, three drops ; Venetian turpentine and calcined magnesia, q.s. One to be 
given night and morning. Quinine and iron tonics may be given along with either of these, but 
about every third day there should be another small dose of salts. Under this treatment recovery 
is generally satisfactory. If ulcerations appear in the throat, treatment must be applied at 
discretion as under Diphtheria. 
Walton’s roup pill is founded largely upon opium, as are several others ; but this method of 
treatment, though often successful, is generally far inferior to the aconite and copaiba system. 
Almost every pill known has its triumphs to record, however; and in a wide epidemic may be tried 
where other remedies seem to fail. 
A convalescent fowl should be well washed with Condy’s fluid before return to the yard, after 
seclusion for a few days in a “ clean ” pen, and should not be turned out except on a mild day. 
SCALY Legs. — S ee Elephantiasis. 
SCROFULA. — See Liver Disease. 
Soft Eggs. — If these occur frequently it is almost always a sign of over-feeding. Where the 
egg is tolerably complete, all but the shell, it will be enough to miss one meal and thenceforth give 
less ; but if the outer membrane be absent, and still more if yolks only be dropped, one or two of 
the tartar emetic pills given under “ Egg-bound,” should be administered, and the bird fed very 
sparingly on plain food, in order to stop laying till the system be sufficiently reduced. 
In some cases soft eggs occur from the entire absence of any materials to form the shell. The 
remedy for such is of course obvious, and consists in the supply of old mortar, burnt oyster-shell 
pounded, or especially pounded raw shells, which have a peculiarly rapid effect. 
ULCERATION. — The ulcerations found about the head and throat, commonly known as 
“ canker,” have been described under the headings of Diphtheria and Roup , and it only remains to 
describe an irritating and obstinate ulceration sometimes found about the vent, generally of 
hens. The causes are obscure, and all cases may not be alike. It seems probable that some may 
follow inflammation of the oviduct ; while some, on the other hand, appear of a distinctly specific 
or contagious character. It is better, therefore, to seclude all affected birds from the opposite sex. 
Apparently simple ulceration or scab may usually be cured by the alternate application ol 
diluted ointment of white precipitate, and of carbolated vaseline, or of iodoform ointment and the 
vaseline, washing the parts every day between with diluted liquor carbonis, or McDougall’s Fluid 
Carbolate. Where there appears discharge from the passage, however, ointment is useless, and 
the part must be simply bathed or washed twice daily with the antiseptic dressing, while doses 
of copaiba in drops or capsules are given internally. The copaiba should not exceed a total of 
four drops per day. 
White Comb. — See Eruptions. 
WORMS. — Fowls are very often troubled with worms, and these are the cause of many 
undcfmable diseases. The excretions should be examined when their presence is suspected, and 
if discovered, a capsule of turpentine, followed by a dose of castor-oil, will usually affect a cure. 
Santonin has also been given with success, and areca nut might afford benefit in some cases. 
