20 



FARMERS ' BULLETIN 170. 



of their common ailments come from such exposure. In ordinary 

 colds there is difficulty in breathing and some liquid discharge from 

 the nose. Frequently this is accompanied by coughing. A bird thus 

 affected should be kept in a warm room free from all drafts and pro- 

 tected from irritating dust, vapor, or tobacco smoke. The symp- 

 toms are increased as the cold progresses and becomes acute, and the 

 bird sits with feathers puffed out, seeming really ill. Breathing is 

 difficult and rapid. If there is enough catarrhal secretion partly 

 to block the respiratory passages a slight bluish tint is noticed be- 

 neath the transparent sheath of the bill. As a remedy, place in the 

 drinking cup 1 ounce of water to which has been added 20 drops of 

 syrup of tolu, 10 of sweet spirits of niter, and 10 of glycerine. As a 

 stimulant in severe cases, from 5 to 10 drops of whisky or brandy 

 • may be added to this. 



Pneumonia in cage birds often follows exposure and is nearly 

 always fatal. The symptoms, rapid and difficult breathing with little 

 catarrhal discharge, appear suddenlj''. The bird becomes very weak 

 at once and usually dies in from two to seven days. Little can be 

 done beyond providing an easily assimilated food, as egg food and 

 bread moistened in milk. A few drops of whisky may be added to 

 the drinking water as a stimulant. <- 



Asthma is a chronic affection, in which there is difficulty in expira- 

 tion of air in breathing. In severe cases a contraction of the ab- 

 dominal muscles is evident in forcing the air from the lungs. 

 Asthma is more in evidence at night, and often birds apparently free 

 from it during the day will wheeze when at rest. There is practically 

 nothing that can be clone for it. Sometimes a semblance of asthma 

 is caused by indigestion from overeating. Fanciers consider asthma 

 hereditary and do not recommend birds so affected for breeding 

 purposes. 



INTESTINAL COMPLAINTS. 



Intestinal troubles arise in nearly all cases from errors in food or 

 water supply and are avoided by care in feeding. In case of diarrhea, 

 remove all green and soft foods from the cage for a time and give 

 only the normal seed supply. It is well to add a small quantity of 

 epsom salts to the drinking water for a day. If there is no improve- 

 ment, feed the bird a bit of moist bread, with the surface covered 

 lightly with bismuth (subnitrate), or place an ounce of water in 

 the drinking cup, adding a solution of 3 or 4 drops of tincture of 

 opium and 15 drops of whisky. For constipation the addition of 

 lettuce, apple, chickweed, or other green food to the regular menu 

 is usually sufficient; if not, a pinch of epsom salts may be added to 

 the drinking water. The quantity of the purgative should be enough 

 to impart a faintly saline taste to the solution. Castor oil is not a 

 good corrective remedy for small birds. 



When worms are present, as sometimes happens, small fragments 

 of these internal parasites may be seen in the droppings when the 

 cage is cleaned. As a remedy, place in the drinking cup 8 or 10 

 drops of tincture of gentian in an ounce of water. This may be 

 given for two days, and in addition 2 drops of olive oil may be 

 administered in the bill by means of a medicine dropper. 



WASHIXGTOX : GOVEKXMEXT PRINTIXG OFFICE : 1916 



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