Diseases. 157 



If the slightest symptoms of typhus become observable 

 among the removed birds, give at once two or three grains 

 of James' Powder, six or eight drops of laudanum (in place 

 of the magnesia and senna), and add twenty-five drops of 

 sweet spirit of nitre as well, to every fluid ounce of water to 

 be used in place of the ordinary drinking water. If the 

 weather is mild, open the windows as wide as possible, and 

 if practicable, get a current of air to pass through the room; 

 but the night air and damp atmosphere must be entirely 

 excluded. 



The birds affected may be fed on rice cake soaked in 

 sherry, and partly squeezed dry; and to this should be added 

 a few drops of almond or salad oil. During the disease the 

 following receipt will be found of much service: Tinct. of 

 belladonna, Idr.; Vin. ipecac., 2dr.; Tinct. aconit., Idr.; Tinct. 

 hyoscyami, Idr.; Sp. ether nit., 3dr.; Tinct. gentian, oz. Add 

 twenty drops of this mixture to each ounce of the ordinary 

 drinking water, and twenty drops of the compound infusion 

 of senna. 



I have saved a great many birds by this treatment after 

 being severely attacked by typhus. Try the receipt first 

 given for mild cases, and if the disease continues to progress, 

 resort to the last prescription. 



After the fever has exhausted itself, gentle tonics and egg 

 food should be given. Such tonics as gentian, camomile, 

 and cinchona bark, made into weak infusions, and if during 

 the summer, a small leaf of fresh young dandelion, well 

 washed and partly dried, will be found serviceable in restoring 

 the birds to health. 



When the malady has entirely subsided, the whole of the 

 cages, the room, and everything in and about it, must 

 be thoroughly disinfected, including the hoppers, seed 

 and water vessels. First remove the birds and " stove " 

 the room and cages with brimstone for five or six 

 hours, closing up every hole and crevice; the brimstone 

 should be placed in the centre of the room in a strong 

 earthenware vessel or iron crucible; a little oil or paraffin 



