Treatment. — This, of course, depends upon the cause.
If the disease is brought on by a diet of green or soft food, the
food must be changed, and water sparingly given; if it arises
from undue acidity, chalk mixed with meal is advantageous,
but rice-flour boluses are most reliable. Alum water, of mod-
erate strength, is also beneficial. In cases of bloody flux, boiled
rice and milk, given warm with a little magnesia, or chalk, may
be successfully used.
276 POULTRY.
Fever. — The most decided species of fever to which fowls
are subject, occurs at the period of hatching, when the animal
heat is often so increased as to be perceptible to the touch. A
state of fever may also be observed when they are about to lay.
This is, generally, of small consequence, when the birds are
otherwise healthy; but it is of moment, if any other disorder is
present, since, in such case, the original malady will be aggra-
vated. Fighting also frequently occasions fever, which some-
times proves fatal.
Symptoms. — The symptoms are an increased circulation of
l!ie blood; excessive heat; and restlessness
Treatment. — Light food and change of air; and, if neces-
sary, aperient medicine, such as castor oil, with a little burned
butter.
Indigestion. — Cases of indigestion among fowls are com-
mon, and deserve attention according to the causes from which
they proceed. A change of food will often produce crop-sick-
ness, as it is called, when the fowl takes but little food, and
suddenly loses flesh. Such disease is of little consequence,
and shortly disappears. When it requires attention at all, all
the symptoms will be removed by giving their diet in a warm
state.
Sometimes, however, a fit of indigestion threatens severe
consequences, especially if long continued. Every effort should
be made to ascertain the cause, and the remedy must be gov-
erned by the circumstances of the case.
Symptoms. — The symptoms are heaviness, moping, keeping
away from the nest, and want of appetite.
Treatment. — Lessen the quantity of food, and oblige the
fowl to exercise in an open walk. Give some powdered cayenne
and gentian, mixed with the usual food. Iron-rust, mixed with
soft food, or diffused in water, is an excellent tonic, and is in-
dicated when there is atrophy, or diminution of the flesh. It
may be combined with oats or grain. Milk-warm ale has also
a. good effect, when added to the diet of diseased fowls.
Lice. — The whole feathered tribe seem to be peculiarly Ha-
ble to be infested with lice; and there have been instances
when fowls have been so covered in this loathsome manner
that the natural color of the feathers has been undistinguish-
able. The presence of virmin is not only annoying to poultry,
but materially interferes with their growth, and prevents their
fattening. They are, indeed, the greatest drawback to the suc-
cess and pleasure of the poultry fanciers; and nothing but un-
remitting vigilance will exterminate them, and keep them exter-
minated.
POULTRY. ^77
Page 193
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Treatment. — This, of course, depends upon the cause. If the disease is brought on by a diet of green or soft food, the food must be changed, and water sparingly given; if it arises from undue acidity, chalk mixed with meal is advantageous, but rice-flour boluses are most reliable. Alum water, of moderate strength, is also beneficial. In cases of bloody flux, boiled rice and milk, given warm with a little magnesia, or chalk, may be successfully used.
Fever. — The most decided species of fever to which fowls are subject, occurs at the period of hatching, when the animal heat is often so increased as to be perceptible to the touch. A state of fever may also be observed when they are about to lay. This is, generally, of small consequence, when the birds are otherwise healthy; but it is of moment, if any other disorder is present, since, in such case, the original malady will be aggravated. Fighting also frequently occasions fever, which sometimes proves fatal.
Symptoms. — The symptoms are an increased circulation of the blood; excessive heat; and restlessness
Treatment. — Light food and change of air; and, if necessary, aperient medicine, such as castor oil, with a little burned butter.
Indigestion. — Cases of indigestion among fowls are common, and deserve attention according to the causes from which they proceed. A change of food will often produce crop-sickness, as it is called, when the fowl takes but little food, and suddenly loses flesh. Such disease is of little consequence, and shortly disappears. When it requires attention at all, all the symptoms will be removed by giving their diet in a warm state.
Sometimes, however, a fit of indigestion threatens severe consequences, especially if long continued. Every effort should be made to ascertain the cause, and the remedy must be governed by the circumstances of the case.
Symptoms. — The symptoms are heaviness, moping, keeping away from the nest, and want of appetite.
Treatment. — Lessen the quantity of food, and oblige the fowl to exercise in an open walk. Give some powdered cayenne and gentian, mixed with the usual food. Iron-rust, mixed with soft food, or diffused in water, is an excellent tonic, and is indicated when there is atrophy, or diminution of the flesh. It may be combined with oats or grain. Milk-warm ale has also a. good effect, when added to the diet of diseased fowls.
Lice. — The whole feathered tribe seem to be peculiarly Hable to be infested with lice; and there have been instances when fowls have been so covered in this loathsome manner that the natural color of the feathers has been undistinguishable. The presence of virmin is not only annoying to poultry, but materially interferes with their growth, and prevents their fattening. They are, indeed, the greatest drawback to the success and pleasure of the poultry fanciers; and nothing but unremitting vigilance will exterminate them, and keep them exterminated.