54 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



treatment. The last-named difficulty is unfortunately the 

 greatest, for the disease and its remedy may be perfectly under- 

 stood, and yet it may not be possible to use the latter, because 

 the bird will not take it voluntarily, and, if force be employed, 

 becomes so excited that greater danger arises. In severe 

 internal disease, the compulsory administration of medicine 

 should be avoided as much as possible ; yet it is but seldom that 

 a sick parrot is so docile as voluntarily to take what is un- 

 pleasant. 



Influenza (Cold in Nose, Throat, and Mouth). — 

 Symptoms : Sneezing ; slimy yellow discharge from the 

 nostrils, which become encrusted ; rolling or shaking the 

 head, discharge of slime. Treatment : To be kept dry and 

 warm, and inhale tar vapour (84) ; smear inside with good 

 grease ; rub beak and throat externally with a solution of 

 chlorate of kali (37) (Ztirn) ; cleanse the nostrils and the beak 

 with a feather dipped in salt water, and then moisten them 

 with oil of almonds. 



Cataeeh in the Air Tubes (also Inflammation of the 

 Mouth, Larynx, and Throat). — Symptoms : Hoarseness, 

 coughing, rapid breathing, and rattling in the throat. Treat- 

 ment : To administer something sweet, such as honey, sugar 

 candy, or pure liquorice juice ; a mixture of sal ammoniac (76), 

 half, or a whole, teaspoonful several times daily ; extract of 

 dulcamara (19), a whole or half a teaspoonful twice daily; an 

 inhalation of mild tar or pyroligneous vapour (30 and 84). Only 

 lukewarm or tepid drinking water should be given, and the 

 mouth, far back into the throat, and the nostrils, should be 

 smeared with a solution of salicylic acid (73). The bird 

 experiences relief if kept in a warm, moist atmosphere ; several 

 times daily lukewarm water should be sprinkled round it, and 

 the room kept at a temperature of 72deg. to 8odeg. Fahr. 



Inflammation op the Lungs. — Symptoms: Difficult, short, 

 rapid, or wheezing breathing, with open beak, hot breast, 

 melancholy, want of appetite, perceptible fever, painful cough- 

 ing, discharge of yellow phlegm, sometimes streaked with blood 

 (Ziirn) ; a chirping, gasping sound to be heard, particularly at 

 quiet moments in the evening. Treatment : Warm, moist air, as 

 above ; according to Zurn's prescription, two or three pills of 



