DISEASES. 21 



chalky matter, which adheres to the feathers of the tail, and is 

 so acrid, as to produce a painful inflammation in and about the 

 rectum. The use of the rusty nail in the water, and the clyster 

 of linseed oil, as mentioned above, sometimes tend to mitigate 

 the disease ; but I have found that the only effectual method 

 of relieving the sick birds, is to procure them such food as is 

 most congenial with their natural habits. Many persons pull 

 out the feathers of the back and tail, and smear the parts 

 with fresh butter, and mix with the food the yolk of an egg, 

 hard boiled and chopped small. But in my hands this cruel 

 method has very rarely been attended with success. 



6. OBSTRUCTION OF THE KUMP- GLAND, OR PIMPLES. In every 

 bird there is a gland situated just above the tail, which secretes 

 the oily substance necessary for pluming the feathers, and pre- 

 serving them from the effects of rain. And as in captivity birds 

 rarely get wet, they sometimes neglect to use this gland, and it 

 consequently swells, dries up, or even ulcerates. A good remedy 

 for this disease of which the existence may be suspected if the 

 bird be observed sitting still, with the tail bent downwards, 

 and frequently pecking at the rough feathers on the affected 

 part is either to apply an ointment made of unsalted butter 

 and sugar, or to enlarge the opening of the gland with a needle 

 or small knife. A better ointment still, and which may be 

 procured of any chemist, is compounded of litharge, white lead, 

 wine, and olive oil. The usual process of cutting off the 

 swollen gland, or perforating it with a needle, is indeed ef- 

 fectual in removing the disease ; but it destroyes the gland also, 

 and in the next moulting season the bird so treated generally 

 dies, for want of the oily matter necessary to soften the feathers. 



7. EPILEPSY. This disease, which is very common among 

 Cage-Birds, seems to be brought on by a plethoric habit of body, 

 resulting from abundance of good food, and want of exercise. 

 I know of no better remedy than to dip the bird affected once 

 or twice in the coldest water that can be procured, and then 

 to cut the claws so closely as to let blood. A few drops of 

 olive oil given to the bird, frequently produce a good effect. 

 In the case of large birds, the best plan is to open a vein in 

 the side of the feet. It may, however, be remarked, that 

 this disorder sooner or later proves fatal to all birds affected by it. 



8. MOULTING maybe considered as a disease. At its annual 

 recurrence great care and attention should be given to all the 



