332 
THE POULTKY BOOK. 
After its administration the hen generally ceases to lay for two or three days, and 
then resumes in a healthy manner ; but if necessary, a second dose may be 
given. 
It is almost needless to say that inflammation of the egg-passage is shown by 
general feverishness ; the feathers (especially those over the back) are puffed out, 
and the hen mopes about, and strains to discharge the contents of the passage. I 
believe this inflammation to be often produced by over- stimulating or unwholesome 
food. I once gave my Dorkings some greaves, and the result was that every one 
laid soft eggs ; and the disorder ceased, without the use of medicine, on a 
return to natural food. 
Protrusion of the lower end of the egg-passage not unfrequently occurs in 
hens that are laying. It is sometimes caused by a disparity of size betv/een 
the egg and the passage, and at other times seems connected with a general 
relaxation of the system. When protrusion occurs, the plan recommended is 
immediately to check the laying by the medicine above mentioned, and put the bird 
on a diet which contains no egg-forming materials, such as rice and potatoes ; and 
after a few days the parts usually regain their natural position. If, however, 
another egg is formed, it usually happens ‘that the efforts to expel it so much 
increase the mischief that the bird dies. 
The disease is not unfrequently the precursor of apoplexy; if a soft egg, as 
frequently happens, is broken in the passage, the collapsed membrane, from its 
irregular form, is not readily expelled, and the efforts to get rid of it lead to 
the rupture of a vessel in the brain ; at other times, the canal being closed, 
additional yolks accumulate above, causing a tumour, which is eventually fatal, and 
which is rapidly enlarged by the continued secretion of the oviduct. I have 
seen tumours upwards of a pound in weight produced in this manner. 
DISEASES OF THE LIMBS. 
LEG-WEAKNESS. 
Symptoms . — This disease usually occurs in young birds, and more frequently 
in cockerels than pullets. The bird affected is, more or less, unable to support 
itself, and sinks down on the hocks after standing for a short time, or in bad 
cases is even unable to rise on the feet. In other respects the health is good, 
The appetite being at first, before the bird is injured by want of exercise, very 
good, and the comb red. 
Causes . — The cause of this troublesome complaint, which frequently attacks 
the finest and heaviest birds, is, merely a rapid increase of weight, which is out 
of proportion to the muscular development ; it consequently is often present in 
the weightiest birds, and in cockerels more frequently than in pullets ; it is 
rarer in old birds, and is most common in the heaviest varieties. Cochins being 
more especially subject to it. 
. Constitutional weakness may, of course, produce it without any rapid growth. 
