40 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



pepper to a bird not used to it. being a cause, is easily detected by the uneasiness of 

 the bird, and the thick, ruffled appearance of the feathers. A few drops of castor- 

 oil usually affords relief. The permanent cure is effected through the food: in 

 summer, fresh green food should be given daily ; and a mixture of egg, raw. grated 

 carrot, and sugar, in the winter, or when fresh green food cannot be obtained, is an 

 effectual remedy. 



Inflammation of the Bowels. This is a disease of which numberless 

 Canaries die, while they may be treated for another ailment. The disease is caused 

 by overeating too stimulating food, or from unwholesome diet of sour food : bad 

 drinking-water is also frequently the cause. Careless bird-keepers leave the care of 

 their birds to more careless servants ; and the drinking-water becomes tinged with :i 

 green mucous matter, which is rank poison. The symptoms are languidness, the 

 bird rarely stands upright, but rests with his bodyou the perch, and does not care to 

 sing. If the invalid is caught and examined, the lower part of the abdomen will be 

 found to be of a color varying from a rich to a dark red, according to the stage of 

 the disorder. 



The diet should be changed as in all other cases: cleanliness is most essential. 

 and the same precautions should be taken as in cases of diarrhoea. Dip a camel's-hair 

 brush into warm turpentine, and paint the inflamed abdomen, and open the bowels, 

 if constipated, by giving three drops of castor-oil, ten grains of each of the 

 tinctures of opium and belladonna ; and a few drops of gum-arabic added to the 

 drinking-water should be the daily drink until a cure is effected. The food should 

 be of the lightest description : light biscuit soaked in milk, and frequently changed, 

 should be the main diet. A little brandy may be added to the drinking mixture as a 

 last resource if the bird is about to be given up, although we would not recommend 

 it unless the case seems almost beyond hope. Stimulating foods and tonics must be 

 given during convalescence. 



Inflammation of the Liver. This is an almost incurable disease, and is sure 

 to follow the overfeeding of dainties, such as hemp-seed, sugar, plum-cake, etc., 

 and too high temperature. The symptoms are the restless actions of the bird : he 

 is nervous, hot, and thirsty, and evidently suffers great pain. The absence of 

 wheezing indicates there is no lung trouble, and the natural color of the bowels 

 betrays no symptoms of inflammation. 



Commence by giving three drops of castor-oil : when the bowels have been 

 acted on, put daily in the drinking-water fifteen grains of tincture of opium and a 

 teaspoonful of dandelion juice. When the pain has subsided, omit the opium, and 

 continue with the dandelion. The diet should be of the lightest kind, and digestion 

 must be aided by the regular iron tonic. When the bird is fully cured, feed on only the 

 plainest seeds ; the German summer rape-seed forming the main part of the mixture. 



The bath need not be omitted in any of the above cases, except when the sick- 

 ness is very severe. 



Epilepsy, or Fits. This is caused by too rich food, overeating, or too fre- 

 quent mating, any one of which causes a suspension of the heart's action ; or it 

 may be caused by fright, which is often the case when a bird is caught too suddenly. 

 When the bird is attacked, hold the cage in the fresh air, and gently sprinkle the 

 sufferer with a few drops of cold water. 



