18 INTRODUCTION. 



during winter, it is plain that there is much to injure the 

 delicate lungs of the birds. 



A moist and refreshing regimen and some aperients, more or 

 less often, according to the violence of the disease, appears the 

 most appropriate remedy. A favorite linnet and goldfinch, 

 mentioned by Dr. Bechstein, when attacked with very bad 

 asthma, were relieved and preserved for several years by the 

 following method : 



The first thing was to leave off hemp seed entirely, confining 

 them solely to rape seed ; but giving them at the same time an 

 abundance of bread, soaked in pure water, and then pressed ; 

 lettuce, endive, or water cresses, according to the season, twice 

 a-week, giving them bread boiled in milk, about the size of a 

 nutmeg. This is made by throwing a piece of the crumb of 

 white bread, about the size of a nut, into a teacupful of milk, 

 boiling it, and stirring it all the time with a wooden spoon till 

 it is of the consistency of pap. It must be quite cold before it 

 is given to the birds, and must always be made fresh, for if 

 sour, it will prove injurious. 



This paste, which they are very fond of, purges them suili- 

 cicntly, and sensibly relieves them. In very violent attacks, 

 nothing but this paste ought to be given for two or three days 

 following, and this will soon give the desired relief. 



When the disease is slight, or only begun, it is sufficient to 

 give the bread and milk once in three or four days. When 

 employed under similar circumstances, this treatment has 

 cured several very valuable birds. It may not be useless 

 here to renew the advice of always giving the birds an 

 opportunity of bathing every day, by putting in their way 

 a saucer, or any other small shallow bath, filled with 

 water, which should never be too cold, and in winter always 

 milkwarm. 



One thing which is very injurious to the lungs of birds, and 

 which too often occurs, is the fright occasioned by tormenting 

 them, or by seizing them too suddenly; for the poor little 

 things often rupture a blood vessel in the breast while beating 

 themselves about. A drop of blood in the beak is the sign, and 



