DISEASES. 57 



of the heart, spleen, kidneys, stomach, ovary, intestines, &c. 

 Symptoms : Emaciation, and swellings upon the most diverse 

 parts of the body. It must be regarded, so far as our know- 

 ledge extends, as incurable, and, at the same time, here- 

 ditary ; therefore the progeny of birds which have died of 

 this disease must not be used for breeding purposes. 



DisOEDER OF THE DIGESTION. — Symptoms : Want of appetite, 

 hard, brown excrement in small quantities ; apathy. Causes : 

 Unsuitable or bad food, and consequent disturbed condition of 

 the gall and other digestive fluids. Treatment : Light food, but 

 little green food, some salt, and tepid drinking water; a tea- 

 spoonful of lukewarm Bordeaux wine, with a small piece of 

 sweet almond or walnut, often renders good service. Ziirn 

 recommends also an infusion of peppermint (68) or calamus root 

 (39) three times daily, a teaspoonful for a dose ; nevertheless 

 I do not recommend this for parrots. In England a grain of 

 cayenne pepper, or an infusion of the same, is given. 



Flatulency, also called Windy Swelling, appears as a 

 flat white swelling ; is chiefly found among young birds, arises 

 from disturbance of the digestion, and is, therefore, produced by 

 unsuitable, bad, or over rich food ; it is caused also by bites. It 

 may be cured, if not severe, by scanty and meagre food and 

 careful pricking of the bladder- like swellings ; the air can then 

 be pressed out gently, and the place should be rubbed with warm 

 oil, or, if a large hole has been cut, it should be smeared with 

 collodion (52). 



Inflammation of the Stomach and Intestines (Catarrh 

 in the Stomach and Intestines, or Inflammation of the 

 Bowels). — This is unfortunately very common. Cause : Stale, 

 or otherwise bad food ; icy cold drinking water ; cold in the 

 stomach ; eating some corrosive or poisonous substance ; also too 

 fresh seed, or wet green herbs ; as well as, but this seldom 

 occurs, the swallowing of metal, bone, glass, little stones, &c. 

 Symptoms : Want of appetite, thirst, choking and vomiting, 

 slimy, and even bloody, excretion, shivering, and weakness ; the 

 bird sits continually at the food trough and turns over the 

 food without eating it ; often the belly appears swollen and red. 

 Treatment : Varies according to the cause. Quiet ; warm 

 poultices ; also sand, as warm as is pleasant to the hand, which 



