86 PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 



amongst my mice, but I should say the best treatment 

 is to rub the place with a mixture of equal parts cocoa- 

 nut oil and white paraffin, holding the patient till the 

 solution is dry; or, better still, cocoa-nut oil and vase- 

 line." Overshown mice develop 



ABSCESSES AND TUMOURS. 



These are very hard to treat, as mice cannot be 

 usually kept quiet while an operation is performed, 

 although a fancier has been known to succeed even in 

 this. With the help of a friend he chloroformed the 

 mouse (a prize winner) and removed the growth. But 

 the operation is very risky. Mr. Spiers writes: "A 

 friend of mine says he had a mouse with an abscess. 

 He fomented it with hot water, causing it to break. 

 Then he squeezed out the pus, the mouse keeping quiet 

 all the time. A growth can often be dispersed in its 

 earlier stages by painting the affected part with iodine, 

 but great care must be used." Much can be done in 

 the way of 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE 



By a timely and regular prescribing of blood cooling 

 medicine. A mild aperient, such as magnesia, is 

 excellent once a week, and often prevents mischief. A 

 mixture of four parts flowers of sulphur and one part 

 cream of tartar, too is a very cooling and blood purify- 

 ing aperient. Do not overdo it, and do not overcrowd. 

 Especially be careful to isolate when disease is observed, 

 and disinfect. 



