Diseases. 125 



fortunately, in most cases, with the upper sash of the window 

 lowered to let in the fresh air. Many birds, die from this 

 cause alone, and I wonder that there are not far more. 



ASTHMA. This is a complaint from which a great number 

 of canaries suffer. It not ^infrequently proceeds from a here- 

 ditary disposition, the result of breeding with birds affected 

 with this disease ; and I notice, with regret, that it is much 

 more prevalent at the present time than it was twenty years 

 ago. This, I am disposed to think, results in a great measure 

 from keeping show birds constantly covered, as some fanciers 

 do, during certain months in the year, with the idea that it 

 preserves their colour and keeps them clean. To some extent, 

 no doubt, this is so; but I do not approve of the practice 

 being carried to such an extent as to impair health. Birds 

 subjected to this treatment are frequently sent long journeys, 

 and often during the most severe and inclement weather, and 

 are therefore so much more liable to be affected by atmos- 

 pheric changes, which is another frequent cause of this very 

 troublesome and tedious disorder. Derangement of the stomach 

 and bowels, or profuse evacuations, may likewise produce it. 



This malady can be distinguished from consumption by 

 the periodical character of its attacks, and the wheezing 

 sound which always accompanies it is a characteristic symptom 

 that can scarcely be mistaken. Asthma, like consumption, 

 varies in its symptoms; in fact, there are three distinct kinds 

 of this disease; but I do not think it necessary for me to 

 revert to them separately in this instance, as no one, other 

 than a medical practitioner, could possibly distinguish between 

 one form of the malady and another, and even they in such 

 cases, had they bird patients, would at times be sorely puzzled. 

 When it first occurs, if it is not complicated with other 

 diseases and is dealt with vigorously, it can be cured; but if 

 it once becomes chronic no hope need be entertained of a 

 perfect recovery. When any organic disease exists, according 

 to the organ affected, asthma may terminate in inflammation 

 and dilatation of the bronchi, emphysema and oedema, con- 

 sumption, dropsy of the chest, apoplexy, <fec. 



