222 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



CHAPTER XX. 



DISEASES OF PIGEONS. 



THERE is more difficulty in doctoring pigeons than most other 

 domestic creatures, owing to the very great differences in the 

 circumstances under which a given complaint may have to be 

 treated. This is well exemplified in the well-known uncertainty 

 of purgatives as regards these birds. Supposing a sick pigeon 

 has been fed 011 sound old beans, it will readily be understood 

 by any one who has read Chapter II. of this work that an 

 ordinary purge would probably act energetically ; but when we 

 remember that a sudden change to softer food usually purges a 

 bird freely, we shall easily see why, if our bird had been fed on 

 such laxative diet say wheat it might be comparatively little 

 affected by laxative medicine. The amount of exercise, air, 

 &c., also vary so widely that any one who shall attempt the task 

 of a pigeon-doctor may well expect a disheartening variety of 

 effect from his prescriptions. The subject is, however, better 

 understood now than formerly, and the following hints have 

 at least all been of proved service in actual cases. 



The doses are for ordinary pigeons, full grown, and should 

 be diminished or increased according to size. Their effect will 

 be greater so far as known circumstances are taken into account 

 and care taken to act in accordance : for instance, giving a milder 

 purge, with some change of food, to a bird fed on constipating 

 diet; or adopting more rough and active treatment for colds 

 or roup with birds at large, and milder measures for such as 

 are in confinement. 



Canker is a general term among pigeon breeders for an 

 ulcerous or foul growth, which may assume different forms and 

 appear in different places. The matter is usually yellowish, 

 and wattled pigeons are peculiarly subject to have it in the ear 

 and about the head, whilst all varieties are subject to cankers 



