FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 196 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The following method of treatment is practiced by some of the most successful poulterers in the country: As soon as dis- covered, if in warm weather, remove the infected fowls to some fvell-ventilated apartment or yard; if in winter, to some warm place; then give a dessert-spoonful of castor-oil; wash their heads with warm Castile-soap suds, and let them remain till next /norning fasting. Scald for them Indian-meal, adding two a /id a half ounces of Epsom salts for ten hens, or in pro- portion for a lessor larger number; give it warm, and repeat he dose in a day or two, if they do not recover. Perhaps, however, the best mode of dealing with roup and J\ putrid affections is as follows: Take of finely pulverized ^Vesh-burnt charcoal, and of new yeast, each three parts; of pulverized sulphur, two parts; of flour, one part; of water, a sufficient quantityCharcoal and Yeast Treatment for Roup; mix well, and make into two doses, of the size of a hazel nut, and give one three times a day. Cleanli- ness is no less necessary than warmth; and it will sometimes be desirable to bathe the eyes and nostrils with warm milk and water, or suds, as convenient. Wounds and Sores. — Fowls are exposed to wounds from many sources. In their frequent encounters with each other, they often result; the poultry house is beseiged by enemies at night, and, in spite of all precaution, rats, weasels and other animals will assault the occupants of the roost, or nest, to their damage. These wounds, if neglected, often degenerate into painful and dangerous ulcers. When such injuries occur, cleanliness is the first step towards a cure. The wound should be cleansed from all foreign matter, washed with tepid milk and water, and excluded as far as possible from the air. The fowl should be removed 28« POULTRY. from its companions^ which, in such cases, seldom or nevet show any sympathy, but on the contary, are always ready to assault the invalid, and aggravate the injury. Should the wound not heal, but ulcerate, it may be bathed with alum-water. The ointment of creosote is said to be effectual, even when the ulcer exhibits a fungous character, or proud flesh is present. Ulcers may also be kept clean, if dressed with a little lard, or washed with a weak solution of sugar of lead. If they are indolent, they may be touched with blue-stone. When severe f. 'Ctures occur to the limbs of fowls, the best course, undoubtec 1/, to pursue — unless they are very valuable — is to kill them at once, as an act of humanity. When, how- ever, it is deemed worth while to preserve them, splints may be used, when practicable. Great cleanliness must be observed; the diet should be reduced; and every precaution ti^i.ken against the inflammation, which is sure to supervene. When it is established, cooling lotions — such as warm milk and water — may be applied. MEI>ICI]Srj^L. The Management of the Sick-Room. — The arrangements of the sick-room require attention, and demand special notice. They influence very much the result, and may, indeed, where faulty, bafile the efforts of medicine. We would lay down the following brief rules: —