Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-01-26
FARM, GARDEN, AND HOUSEHOLD.
winter Diseases. of Poultry.


The existence of this
disease" says DIR. Bennett, twill be-
come apparent by observing the unsuc-
cessful attempts of the fowl to relieve
itself. 1t frequently proceeds from
continued feeding of dry diet, without
acces to green vegetables. Indeed,
without the use of these, or some such
substitute, as boiled potatoes, costive-
ness is sure to cnsue. The want of a
sufficient supply Of good water will also
produce the disease, on account of that
peculiar structure by which fowls are
unable to avoid their urine except in
connection with the fnces of solid food,
and through the same channel"
Remedy.-Soaked bread, with warm
skinned milk, is mild remedial
agent, and will usua ly suffice. Boiled
carrots or cabbage is more efficient A
meal of earth-worms is sometimes adj
visable, and hot potatoes, mixed with
lard. are said to be excellent.
Loss OF FRATHERs. This disease,
which is common to confined fowls, is
by no means to be COMPOUNDED with the
natural process of moulting. In the
annual healthy moult, the fall of the
feathers is occasioned by the protrusion
of new feathers from the skin. In the
diseased state which we now consider,
where the feathers fall no new ones
come to replace them, but the fowl 10
left bald and naked. A sort of rough
ness appears also on the skin.
The loss of feathers and the wants
of poultry in confinement, are clearly
shown by q correspondent of the BOs-
ton Medical Journal, in the following
amusing sketch:
GA most pleasing Illustration" says
he, ''was the want OF lime, and the eff
feet of its presence, which came under
my observation, on my voyage from
South America to France We had
omitted to procure gravel for our poul
try, and in few days after we were al
sea, the poultry began to droop, and il
few days wound up their affection:
with pip, or, as the sailors termed it
the scurvy. Their feathers fell from
their bodies, and it was perfectly ludi
crous to see the numerous unfeatheret
tribe in the most profound mis-
cry, moping away their time il
a state of nudity. Amusing
myself one day 10y fishing mp gui1-weed
which foated in immense fields upol
the surface of the ocean, 1 took from i
numerous small crabs about the size o
pea. The poultry, with one accord
aroused themselves from their torpor
and seemingly, as if by instinct, awar
of the therapeutic qualities of these in
teresting animals, partook of them will
greater avidity than any invalid eve
swallowed the waters of the springs.
After few short hours the excellence
of the remedy was apparent; the cock
look saucy, and in few days all ap
peared in quite holiday suit of feath
ers, derived from the lime, the constit
uent part of the crab shells"
Symptons.-A falling off in appe
tite, moping and inactivity; the feather
starting and falling off until the make,
skin appears.
| Remcdy.-This affection is suppose,
by some to he constitutional rattle
than local. External remedies, there
fore, may not always be efficient
serve to assist the operation of wha
medicine may be given. Sulphur ma,
be thus applied, mixed with lard
Cayenne and sulphur, in the proper
ton of one-quarter each, mixed witt
fresh butter, is good to be given intern
nally, and will act as powerful alter
alive. The diet should be changed
and cleanliness and fresh air are indis
pensable.