136 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



disease is distinguished by the appearance of white creamy 

 patches in the mouth and pharynx ; the surfaces of the 

 growths are slimy, and the mouth gets filled with viscid 

 slime which in advanced cases becomes very fetid. The 

 growths spread downwards, entering the oesophagus and 

 trachea and causing death. It is not a common disease 

 among pheasants, but if it makes its appearance in the 

 aviaries the first step is to isolate at once the infected birds, 

 removing those that are healthy to fresh ground. A little 

 salicylate of soda may be added to the birds' drinking 

 water, and the ground of the pen should be watered with a 

 2 per cent, solution of sulphuric acid, or better still dressed 

 heavily with quick lime, which should be allowed to lie on 

 the surface for about three days, and then dug in. The 

 treatment for the affected birds is to free the mouth as far as 

 possible from all growths, and dress the underlying surface 

 with a strong solution of boric acid. In early stages the 

 disease can often be cured, so long as only the mouth is 

 invaded; of course, if the disease attacks the oesophagus or 

 trachea, little or nothing can be done. 



In all cases in which birds are destroyed to prevent the 

 spread of any infectious disease, the greatest care should be 

 taken not to leave the dead bodies exposed. If this be done, 

 the disease is almost certain to extend; it has been proved 

 to do so in the case of birds dying with tuberculous livers, 

 " gapes," and other diseases. The bodies should, if possible, 

 always be burned. This can never be too often, or too 

 strongly, insisted upon. When the body of a diseased bird 

 or animal is buried different beetles or insects feed on the 

 carcase, and may become carriers of the disease to other 

 animals that in turn feed upon them. If burning is im- 

 practicable, they should be buried deeply in some part of 

 the ground where there are no fowls or pheasants. Hanging 

 the dead bodies of diseased birds in trees to produce a supply 

 of gentles is exceedingly objectionable. 



One of the most common causes of mortality among 



