57 DISEASES. 



bird about twice as valuable as it was before, so many having 

 to succumb to its effects. Those that recover from very 

 severe attacks may be reckoned on as good for several years. 

 In the worst cases, it is astonishing how soon they recover 

 when they once take the turn for the better; they seem to 

 get heavy about as fast as they got light. In this disease 

 it is better to feed sparingly for some days after seclusion. 

 They have generally a great desire to eat; but when it is 

 found that the food does not pass from the crop, it can 

 only do harm, and hasten their death. I refer, of course, to 

 the worst cases, each of which must be treated on its own 

 merits, and by careful observation of the state of the crop 

 each morning. When the dung, from an offensive green 

 appearance, begins to change to a more healthy state, the 

 recovery of the bird may be reckoned on. The best protection 

 against this fatal disease is to keep the salt earth box con- 

 stantly supplied with the mixture of old lime, gravel, and salt. 



Canker. 



This disease makes sad havoc in a loft of pigeons when 

 it becomes established. I have generally found it make its 

 appearance in overcrowded pigeonries; but it is undoubtedly 

 most infectious, and may often be introduced by an in- 

 fected bird, not necessarily suffering from it at the time 

 of its introduction, but having in its system the seeds of 

 the disease, which, by the time it shows itself, makes any 

 measures for the protection of the other birds abortive. 

 Although foul water may not be the cause of an outbreak 

 of canker in a loft, the water from which they drink in 

 common has much to do with the spread of it; but beyond 

 separating the infected birds, and paying regard to clean- 

 liness and ventilation, I cannot advise any method of retard- 

 ing it when once thoroughly established in a loft, for it will 

 run its course, and, when in a severe form, spoil a whole 

 season's work in breeding, not disappearing till the advent 



