POUr^TRY DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. IO9' 



of a germ, a species of bacteria, harmless when the lung is in 

 normal condition, but harmful Avhen conditions which cause 

 congestion are present." 



Treatment. — Ordinarily it will not be advisable to treat this 

 disease. A. cure is unusual and involves such an amount of 

 care and nursing as to make it a most unprofitable proposition. 

 The following treatments have been advised by different per- 

 sons- 



"1. — 'Keep the bird in a room of about 70 degrees, with steam 

 from boiling water if possible. Give every 6 hours i grain 

 phenacetin, and i grain sulpho-carbolate of zinc, mixed with 

 bread crumbs enough to make a pill. Feed on raw eggs and 

 milk. Tincture aconite in the drinking water, or i drop every 

 2 hours in the egg and milk, will help control the hard breath- 

 ing. If successful in saving the bird, build up its strength with 

 tonics such as nux vomica or quinine.' (Sanborn.) 



"2. — 'The bird should be immediately housed and kept warm. 

 Counter irritation must be applied over the region of the lungs 

 by wetting the skin under the feathers on the back with tincture 

 of iodine. Stimulants should be administered 3 or 4 times a 

 day — 2 drops of spirits of camphor and 10 drops of brandy in 

 a teaspoonful of warm milk. Soft, nutritious diet, especially 

 chopped beef, is necessary. Beaten egg and port wine is also 

 useful. Three or 4 drops of chlorodyne may be given in a tea- 

 spoonful of linseed tea to relieve the more distressing symp- 

 toms; and ultimately, if the case progresses, favorably, mineral 

 tonics and cod liver oil are favorable in establishing conva- 

 lescence.' (Hill.) 



"3. — ^'Place bird in a warm room and cover with a piece of 

 blanket, leaving the head uncovered that it may have plenty of 

 air. Give linseed tea frequently in small quantities. To make 

 this tea : Pour a pint of boiling water on an ounce of flaxseed, 

 and keep hot, but not boiling, for two hours. Strain to remove 

 the seeds. The liquid may then be used as a drink, or medicines 

 may be given in it. Dissolve enough nitrate of potash in the 

 drink to give the bird about i grain 3 times a day. If the bird 

 h failing and becomes sleepy, with comb turning dark, mix 15 

 drops of tincture of digitalis with i ounce of water, and give 

 10 drops of the mixture every 2 hours. To give medicine use 

 a medicine dropper, and be careful to avoid getting it into the 



