18 INTRODUCTION. 



way is to change the seed, and be sure there is none but good 

 seed in the trough. 



ATROPHY, OR WASTING. 



This is caused by giving unnatural food to the bird, which 

 destroys the digestive power of its stomach. In this case it 

 disgorges, ruffles its feathers, and does not arrange them, and 

 becomes thin very fast. The best thing is to make it swallow 

 a common spider, which purges it, and put a rusty nail into its 

 water, which strengthens the intestines, giving it at the same 

 time its proper and natural food. Green food, such as lettuce, 

 endive, chickweed, and particularly water-cresses, is the safest 

 remedy. A very great appetite is a sign of this disease. A 

 siskin, that was dying of atrophy, had nothing but water-cresses 

 for three days following, and on the fourth he sung. 



CONSUMPTION, OR DECLINE. 



This disorder may be known by the extreme thinness of the 

 breast, the swelling of the lower part of the belly, the total loss 

 of appetite, and similar symptoms. As a cure, Dr. Handel 

 recommends the juice of the white turnip to be given to drink 

 instead of water. 



COSTIVENESS. 



This disease may be discovered from the frequent unsuccess- 

 ful endeavours of the bird to relieve itself. Aperients will be 

 of use. If a spider does not produce the desired effect, anoint 

 the vent of the bird with the head of a pin steeped in linseed 

 oil ; this sort of clyster generally succeeds ; but if the disease 

 attacks a bird which eats meal-worms, one of these, bruised in 

 sweet oil and saffron, is the most certain remedy, and the bird 

 will swallow it without the least hesitation. Boiled bread and 

 milk is generally o.f great use. 



DIARRHCEA. 



This is a disease to which birds that have been caught 

 recently are very subject, before they are accustomed to their 

 new food. Most of these die of it : they continually void a 

 white calcareous matter, which sticks to the feathers round the 

 vent, and being very acrid causes inflammation in that part 

 and in the intestines. Sometimes chalybeate water and the 

 oil clyster produce good effects ; but it is better, if possible, to 



