The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-01-27
FARM, GARDEN, AND HOUSEHOLD.
yinter Dt.ea,e, OF Pon,,rv


CosrTvENRss.-"The existence of this
disease" says DR.. Bennett, 'awill 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
o to green vegetables. Indeed,
without the use of these, or some such
substitute, as boiled potatoes, costive-
ness is sure to ensue. The want of q
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 feces of solid food,
and through the same channel"
Remedy.-Soaked bread, with warm
SKINNED milk, is a mild remedial
agent, aud Will usua ly suffice. Boiled
carrots or cabbage is more efficient A
meal of earth-worms is sometimes ad-
visable, and hot potatoes, mixed with
lard. are said to be excellent.
Loss OF FRATHKks.-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 p~rotrusion
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 a correspondent of the Bos-
ton Medical Journal, in the following
amusing sketch:
Almost 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 a few days after we were at
sea, the poultry began to droop, and in
a few days wound up their Affections
with a 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 unfeathered
tribe in the most profound mis-
cry, moping away their time in
a state of nudity. Amusing
myself one day by fishing up guif-weed,
which foated in immense fields upon
the surface of the ocean, 1 took from it
numerous small crabs about the size of
a pea. The poultry, with one accord,
aroused themselves from their torpor,
and seemingly, as if by instinct, aware
of the therapeutic qualities of these in
teresting animals, psrtook of them with
greater ayidity than any invalid even
swallowed 'the waters of the springs.
After a few short hours the excellence
of the remedy vas apparent; the cocks
began to crow, the hens to strut and
look saucy, and in a few days all ap-
peared in quite a holiday suit of feath-
ers, derived from the lime, the constit-
uent part of the crab shells"
SymptOms.-A falling off in appe-
tite, moping and inactivity; the feathers
starting and falling off until the naked
skin appears.
Remedy.-This affection is supposed
by some to be constitutional rather
than local. External remedies, there
fore, may not always be efficient.
S~timulants, applied externally, may
serve to assist the operation Of what
medicine may be given Sulphur may
be thus applied, mixed with lard.
Cayenne and sulphur, in the proper
ton of one-quarter each, mixed with
fresh butter, is good to be given intern
nally, and will act as a powerful alter
alive. The diet should be changed,
and cleanliness and fresh air are indis,
pensable.