19() CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



ruffled feathers ; want of appetite. Treatment : First use warm oil castor-oil and 

 olive-oil in equal parts by dropping it into the vent or passage from the head of 

 a pin ; by this means, after several repetitions, large masses of excrement pass away. 

 Also a simple water injection may be used, by means of an india-rubber ball with a 

 thin glass pipe having a rounded point. Give ten drops of castor-oil with one half 

 teaspoonful of honey once or twice daily. Feed hemp and sunflower seed in equal 

 portions. 



Vomiting and Choking are seen in several conditions of disease, and can 

 only be cured by their removal. However, vomiting often occurs merely from men- 

 tal excitement, fright, anxiety, etc., and may have but little significance, being 

 only a passing attack. It also occurs when the stomach is overloaded, or after 

 indigestible food has been eaten ; but even then it is generally not dangerous. See 

 " Inflammation of the Stomach." 



Convulsions and Fits are the result of disorders of the brain or other or- 

 gans. The Parrot suddenly shrinks together, with violent twitching, beating of the 

 wings, or twirling around ; or, it begins to tremble, totters, rolls the 63-68 and then 

 the head, falls down, and writhes violently. Causes : Overeating of hemp-seed or 

 other rich food ; confinement in too small a cage ; being kept too warm, either by 

 fire or in the sunshine; seclusion from mate. Remedies: Change of food, much 

 green food and fruit, coolness, fresh air, change of place. When the attack comes 

 on take the Parrot in the hand and hold it upright, so it may not injure itself, but 

 may find relief. 



Rheumatism and Gout. Symptoms : Loss of appetite ; fever ; swelling of 

 the joints of the wings and feet, which are at first hard, very red, hot, and painful, 

 and then become soft, and contain a fluid of mingled blood and pus. Treatment: 

 Warmth and dryness ; when the swellings are inflamed and hot, cool with vinegar 

 and water ; if hard, rub with spirits of camphor, or smear with diluted tincture 

 of iodine mixed with spirits of wine, one part to fifty parts. Wrap them up 

 in warm woollen rags ; if the swellings suppurate, cut them open, taking care not 

 to do it too soon ; press them, and then rub with a solution of carbolic acid, one part 

 acid to fifty parts water. Give, in all cases, an internal dose of salicylic acid, one 

 part acid to three hundred parts water. 



Diseases Of the Feet. When the feet of birds are neglected inflammation 

 may be set up under the crust of dirt, with suppuration, and larger or smaller ulcers. 

 Treatment : Bathe the foot at once in warm water, cooled with water ; smear the 

 sore places with diluted glycerine, then thickly cover with fine starch powder. 

 Repeat this treatment every day ; the cure will soon be complete. In obstinate 

 cases use lead ointment, or, if the wound be moist, ointment of carbonate of lead ; 

 then the foot must be put in a little leather bag and this firmly tied, because the 

 ointments are poisonous to the bird. 



Plumage Diseases, Insects. Where the plumage is poor in consequence 

 of parasites, use the German insect powder, dusting it thoroughly through the 

 feathers. Next day the plumage should be washed with warm water, soap, and a 

 brush, and then rubbed thinly with olive-oil. The cage must be cleaned with soap 

 and water, and scalded with hot water ; then dust with insect powder. If bald 

 spots come on the bird, and scales and scabs form, they also are probably due to 



