92 DISEASES or POl'LTKY. 



nient upon the feathers, the first step is to get rid of 

 this obstructing mass. It should be soaked in warm 

 water until softened, and then by clipping some of the 

 feathers about the vent it is easily removed. If the 

 cloaca is filled with a hardened mass, this too should 

 be softened with warm water or with olive oil, and 

 carefully maniinilated until it can be pressed out or 

 otherwise removed without injury to the bird. Oil 

 may l)e inserted around such an obstruction with a 

 small syringe, or, in the absence of a syringe, an oil 

 can, such as is used for oiling machinery, answers the 

 purpose very well. After the oil has been applied 

 freely, it may be necessary to wait an hour or two for 

 it to penetrate and soften the obstruction before much 

 progress can be made towards its removal by manipu- 

 lation. The handle of a small spoon or a similar blunt 

 instrument is often of assistance in clearing out the 

 contents of the cloaca. 



When there is serious constipation or when obstruc- 

 tion has taken place higher up in the intestine where 

 it can not be reached by external applications, laxative 

 or purgative medicines are necessar3\ The most suc- 

 cessful of these are Epsom salts twenty to thirty grains 

 dissolved in a tables])oonful of water; castor oil one to 

 two teaspoonfuls ; or calomel one to two grains made 

 into pills with butter or lard. The constipation should 

 also be corrected as far as possible by regulating the 

 rations of the birds. Give soft, watery mashes, green 

 feed and bran until the bowels appear to be once more 

 in a normal condition. The skillful feeder will gen- 

 erally prevent both diarrhea and constipation by care 

 ful attention to the diet. 



TOXIC GASTRO-ENTERITIS. 



Acute inflammation of the intestinal tract is frequent- 



