64 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



Other diseases of the liver are diflScult to recognise in parrots ; 

 indeed, only two can really occur — the formation of tubercles in 

 the liver, already mentioned on page 56, and fatty liver, or obesity 

 in general. Symptoms of the latter : Laboured breathing, panting, 

 difiSculty in moving, hard or thickish excretions. On closer 

 examination the body is found to be completely laden with fat, 

 flaccid inactive skin, full of folds, and probably also large places 

 destitute of feathers. Preventative measures: It is best to take 

 the parrot from the cage every day, and let it fly several times 

 about the room ; otherwise procure a more roomy cage, with 

 an arrangement for climbing ; always give wood to gnaw, and 

 now and then a scanty diet. Treatment : The above measures 

 should be used, green food given ; if the bird suffer from 

 costiveness, castor oil (72) ; much movement, yet without the 

 parrot being frightened, and bathing, but very cautiously. 



I do not know whether inflammation of the spleen really occurs 

 in parrots ; its occurrence among barndoor fowl has been really 

 proved. Causes: Often bacteria. Symj)toms : Sudden illness, 

 trembling of the muscles, the feathers much bristled, evil- 

 smelling, blood-streaked excrement, blood and foam from the 

 mouth and nostrils, convulsive twitching ; when in a lesser 

 degree and of slower progress, a bluish colour is seen on the 

 mucous membrane, staggering, formation of swellings or lumps 

 from the size of a pea to a hazel nut, which are hot and pain- 

 ful, and which, when opened, are found to contain a sticky, 

 yellowish, brown, gall-like matter, or a thin, watery humour ; 

 there are also reddish-blue blisters on the tongue. Preventative 

 measures : The strictest isolation. Treatment : A solution of 

 carbolic acid (44), one teaspoonful, at intervals of half-an-hour, 

 give eight or ten times, and brush the tumours over with a 

 solution of carbolic acid (46). The bird is nearly always lost. 



Heart Diseases are naturally difficult to recognise in birds, 

 whereas they occur much more frequently than is supposed. 

 Ziirn speaks of inflammation of the sac of the heart, and 

 gives as the symptoms, weakness, unsteady use of the feet, 

 laboured breathing, and, above all things, very perceptible and 

 rapid beating of the heart. The sick birds are mournful, sit 

 apart, seek dark corners, tremble, and lie. Death soon takes 

 place. Treatment : Experimentally, tincture of digitalis (18), two 

 or three times daily. Besides this there are tubercles or ulcers 

 in the heart, which I have often found myself ; fatty heart, and 



