20 INTRODUCTION. 



The gland is know-n to be obstinicted when the feathers 

 which surround it are ruffled, the bird never ceasing to peck 

 them, and mstead of being yellow it becomes brown. Tin's 

 disease is A^ery rare among wild birds, for, being exposed to 

 damp, and bathing often, they make more use of the liquor in 

 the gland, consequently it does not accumulate sufficiently Id 

 become corrupted, sour, or cancerous. This confirms the 

 necessity of giving them the means of bathing as often as in- 

 stinct would induce them, as nothing can be more favourable 

 to their health. 



Dr. Handel, after piercing the gland, recommends a little 

 magnesia to be mixed with the bird's drink. 



EPILEPSY. 



This is a disease with which house birds are very often at- 

 tacked. What I have found to be most useful in this case 

 is to plunge the sick birds every now and then mto very coM 

 water, letting them fall suddenly into it, and cutting their 

 claws, or at least one or two, short enough for the blood to run. 



From bleeding giAing so much relief one would think that 

 this disease is a kind of apoplexy, occasioned by want of exer- 

 cise and too much food. Bullfinches and thrushes are mor<- 

 subject to it than any other birds, and bleeding always curo:> 

 them. I have seen this done with great success in the follow- 

 ing maimer, but much delicacy and skill are required, as theri; 

 would be gTeat danger of laming the bird : — a very small holir 

 is made on the surface of the claw, with a lancet or very sharp 

 penknife ; it is then plunged in lukewarm water, and if the 

 operation be vreli done the blood runs like a thread of red silk ; 

 when removed from the water the bleedmg stops : no bandage 

 or dressing is required. 



TYMPANY. 



In this disorder the skin on one part of the body, or even the 

 whole bod}^ rises and swells to so great a degree that it is 

 stretched like a drum. It is generally sufficient to pierce it 

 with a pin, so as to let the air escape, and the bird will be 

 cured. I Lad some larks attacked with this disease, whicb 

 began again to smg a quarter of an hour after the operation. 



