294 DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 



this disease the feathers of the bird become ruffled all 

 over, the flesh wastes away, and frequently the empty skin 

 is distended as with air. It usually results from an im- 

 perfect performance of the digestive functions, owing to 

 unnatural food. A spider given now and then, as a pur- 

 gative, and water impregnated with iron by means of a 

 rusty nail, as a tonic, are the best remedies. The patient 

 should have a full allowance of its proper food, and that 

 of the best kind. Water-cresses have been found service- 

 able in this malady. 



Constipation, or Costiveness. Frequent and unsuccessful 

 endeavours to void its excrements are significant of this. To 

 relieve which a spider should be first tried, or a drop or 

 two of castor oil. If this is unsuccessful, dip the head of a 

 pin into linseed oil, and gently thrust it into the rectum. 

 For such birds as eat meal-worms, the skin of one of these 

 may be squeezed out, then filled with sweet oil, having a 

 few shreds of saffron in it. Boiled bread and milk is also 

 useful. 



Diarrhoea or Dysentery. This sometimes follows a 

 change of diet, or the eating of any unwholesome food. 

 Recently caught birds are more especially subject to it. 

 The frequent voiding of white thin chalky matter is its 

 chief symptoms ; this sticks to the feathers about the vent, 

 and being acrid, causes inflammation there, and into the 

 intestines. Some chalybeate water, or that impreg- 

 nated with iron, is serviceable in this case, as is also the 

 linseed oil clyster, as above described. Some recommend 

 that the under feathers of the tail and vent should be plucked 

 out, and the parts rubbed with fresh butter, also that hard 

 boiled yolk of egg should be mixed with the food. Chaly- 

 beate water, mixed with a little milk, has been found ser- 

 viceable in chronic cases, and boiled bread and milk, with 

 plenty of lettuce, or other green food, has often effected a 

 cure if given when the disease first showed itself. 



Stoppage of the Fat Gland, or Pimple, as it is some- 

 times called. This is the gland in the rump which con- 

 tains the oil necessary for lubricating the feathers ; it 

 sometimes becomes hard and inflamed, because probably 

 the bird does not often enough press it to expel the fluid. 



