DISEASES. 63 



pus. In the first case, smear with warm olive oil, two or 

 three times daily ; and have recourse to much green food, 

 motion, and careful bathing with lukewarm water. If pus be 

 present, careful puncturation, gentle pressure, and, according 

 to Ziirn's recommendation, touching with a solution of boric 

 acid (13). When inflammation of the vent glands arises (this 

 usually takes place simultaneously with purging), remove the 

 nearest feathers, apply a rag with Goulard water (11), and, 

 according to Ziirn, cautiously smear the part with a solution of 

 carbolic acid (47) ; then smear with mild grease, glycerine (25), 

 or zinc ointment (86). 



Diseases of the Ovary, of course, occur in parrots ; but as 

 no experiences concerning these are on record, nor any remedy 

 prescribed, and as they are unlikely to occur in birds kept singly, 

 I will here pass them over in silence. On the other hand, a 

 parrot kept alone in a cage may often lay one or more eggs ; 

 this even happens with some birds regularly every year. Usually 

 this is of no consequence, for even if the bird appears indisposed 

 for a few days, yet it recovers ; happily only in rare cases 

 does it become really ill with the effort to lay. Symptoms : 

 Heaviness, inclining to motionlessness, cowering on the ground, 

 the hinder part of the body swollen, shuddering from time to 

 time. Preventative measures: Administer lime as mentioned 

 (page 33). Very carefully avoid all fright and anxiety, as in any 

 illness ; prevent the bird becoming too fat. Treatment : Vapour 

 bath, equal temperature, the utmost quiet possible, and careful 

 dropping in of warm oil in the opening of the ovary, as 

 described on page 59 ; but in this case it must be done with the 

 head of a somewhat larger pin, the cavity being carefully opened 

 as far as the egg, which must, of course, be pricked and gently 

 pressed out. 



Diseases of the Liver and Spleen. — The first occur 

 rather frequently in parrots. Causes : Wrong or over rich 

 food. In consequence of catarrh in the intestines, the opening 

 which conducts the gall into the smaller intestines becomes 

 closed, from which results stoppage, and the gall becomes 

 absorbed in the blood and causes jaundice. Treatment : 

 Glauber's salt (23) as a purgative, and an infusion of calamus 

 root (38), in doses of one teaspoonful ; for the rest, a light 

 and sparing diet and green food. 



