EPILEPSY _An unusual complaint_ _Symptoms._ The bird staggers about and has a fit. It may recover. _Cause._ It is difficult to discover a cause; intestinal worms are suspected in some cases. _Treatment._ If it is suspected that intestinal worms are responsible, try the treatment recommended for worms. (See page 95.) FATTY DEGENERATION _Not contagious, but pointing to error in diet_ _Symptoms._ More or less sudden deaths of birds in good condition. Post-mortem examination shows an enlarged liver and masses of fat attached to the intestines. _Cause._ Something wrong with the diet; too much heat-giving food and want of exercise. _Treatment_. Post-mortem proof of fatty degeneration in the flock should lead the poultry owner to change the diet, reducing the amount of heat-giving food, and giving more exercise. Some authors draw attention to a fatty degeneration in which the liver is shrunken and shows fat globules under the microscope. FAVUS (WHITE COMB) _Disfiguring, but easily controlled if treated early_ _Symptoms._ Whitish scabs or crusts on the comb, the head and down the neck. _Cause._ Due to a fungus that spreads, if not treated, and that probably starts where there is an abrasion of the skin. _Treatment._ Treat in early stages of the disease by dressing with sulphur ointment. (See page 9.) Isolate bird. If the case has been neglected and allowed to develop, the crusts must first be moistened with oil and the surface scraped off with a blunt instrument. Then apply tincture of iodine or nitrate of silver. FEATHER-EATING _Not a very common habit_ _Symptoms._ The presence of bare patches and injured plumage on birds should lead the poultryman to watch for feather-eaters. _Cause._ Irritation from insects, some defect in diet, or natural cussedness. _Treatment._ Isolate the offender, and, if persistent and of no special value, kill, for fear the bad example may be followed by others. If several fowls develop this vice, try hanging up a bone for them to peck at and thus distract their attention. FLEAS _An occasional parasite of poultry_ _Symptoms._ Fleas are found on the fowls or in the straw of their nests. _Description._ The flea that attacks fowls is known as the hen flea (_Pulex gallinæ_). It is dark colored and has sharp mouth parts. Doubtless it causes the fowl it attacks much irritation in addition to loss of blood. _Treatment._ Keep poultry houses in a clean, sanitary condition. Dust the infested fowls with an insect powder or dip them in creolin, about 1%. Burn infested straw. FRACTURES