THE HOSPITAL 93 



bird, especially an old one, sometimes seems 

 to have rheumatism. The books will tell you 

 to soak his feet, but think how you must 

 frighten him to hold his feet in water long 

 enough to have any effect ! If the cage were 

 put into water and perches removed, as some- 

 times recommended, any bird I ever saw 

 would at once fly to the wires for safety, and 

 cling there till he dropped from fatigue. In 

 either of these two ways I think the fright 

 and excitement would undo any good from 

 the soaking. The only way I should treat it 

 is with the Specific, and keeping him in a 

 warm place, out of draughts and dampness. 

 It is said that bryonia and colchicum (homce- 

 opathic) in alternation will cure this disease. 

 To give medicines in this way you need two 

 drinking -cups prepared with the remedies: 

 leave one cup in his cage an hour, or until 

 you see him drink; then remove it, and sub- 

 stitute the other. 



There remains to speak of the most trouble- 

 some disease that attacks a cage bird, and one 

 usually considered incurable. I refer to fits. 

 A close observer, as I have said, need never 

 have to deal with this trouble if she will at- 



