COCCIDIOSIS OF ADULT FOWLS _The germ of this disease does not usually affect adult fowls seriously, but causes severe losses among chickens and turkeys_ _Symptoms._ The external symptoms are not very pronounced; there is loss of weight and in some cases diarrhea. The disease may last for a long time and birds may even recover. A post-mortem examination shows the walls of the cæca thickened and filled with a pasty mass, while characteristic whitish or yellowish spots (see Fig. 24, _d_) are found in the liver. _Cause._ This disease is due to the same germ (a coccidium) that causes blackhead in turkeys. Adult fowls occasionally develop this disease, but appear to be able, as a rule, to act as a host for the germs without being themselves affected, although heavy losses occur among turkeys or chickens that get the germ from them. _Treatment._ Copperas in the drinking water (three grains to a quart) has been recommended, together with the occasional use of calomel in one-grain doses, or one or two teaspoonfuls of castor oil. Thorough disinfection (see page 10) of houses and runs, etc., where affected fowls have been, is important. Burn the bodies of birds that die of the disease. COLD (SIMPLE CATARRH) _Dangerous, because it may be confused with the early stages of roup_ _Symptoms._ Discharge from the nostrils and the eyes, with occasional fits of sneezing; loss of appetite, and moping. _Cause._ Cold and damp. Colds most frequently occur in wet weather and among poorly housed and poorly fed stock. _Treatment._ Warm housing and protection from cold and wet. Give quinine—one grain to an adult fowl. Many believe in dosing fowls suffering from colds with red pepper given in the food. When there are signs of stuffiness, the eyes and the nostrils should be washed out once or twice daily. Carbolic acid 2%, or boric acid, about 3%, dissolved in water, is recommended for this purpose. Witch hazel has been found very effective. _Caution._ There is a risk of mistaking the early stages of roup for a simple cold. Further, birds are more likely to contract roup when suffering from a cold, and should, on this account, be isolated and regularly examined. _Influenza._ The term influenza, or grippe, is generally applied to a severe cold that has no symptoms of roup. CONSTIPATION _Not common and seldom serious_ _Symptoms._ The bird suffering is dull and listless. Its efforts to evacuate are painful and unsuccessful. _Cause._ Internal blocking of the cloaca or the intestines, or, occasionally, of the vent by dirt accumulated on the outside. Want of exercise and lack of green food are held to be contributing causes.