135 



This is a most interesting family, most of the 

 species of which become very tame and friendly, and 

 will readily take food from the hand. They also be- 

 come quite adept at catching mealworms and small 

 fruits thrown to them from some distance. I was much 

 interested in these birds, and closely studied them 

 while they lived in the Western Aviary, and though 

 only a weekly or fortnightly visitor, I persuaded my- 

 self that one or two of them recognised me. I hope 

 soon to add some of the Rhaviphastos to my avian 

 pets. Space has prohibited in this paper entering into 

 full descriptions, but I hope to deal with some of those 

 more frequently imported in a later issue. 



IPneumonia anc) Septicemia. 



By W. Geo. Creswell, M.D. 



The Editor has asked nie to write a few remarks 

 in answer to the queries on this subject which appear 

 this month in the Correspondence columns. These 

 open up rather a wide question, and one which it is 

 naturally difficult for laymen to properly appreciate, 

 but I will endeavour in a few words to make plain the 

 salient .points. In so doing it will be necessary to 

 make cross references to the questions submitted. 



Pneumonia — i.e. inflammation of the lungs — is 

 itself a septicaemia, inasmuch as it is the immediate 

 result of the presence of a micro-organism of the septic 

 group, and of the toxins (poisons) thrown out by the 

 same. It may occur as a primary disease, as in the 

 typical form so commonly found in human beings, 

 where an entire lobe of either one or both lungs is 

 affected, and where in fairly resistant subjects a 



