412 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
but in America the little sufferers are too often left to linger and die in the 
absence of that experience, and of reliable books devoted to, the subject. If 
I shall have the good fortune to allay the pain of those which are in and 
about the homes of my readers, it will abundantly repay me for my years 
of study in their behalf. What is offered in the present work is based upon 
the experience of many others as well as of myself, though a special study 
of American birds has been made since my arrival in this country, supple- 
mented by an extended practice in treating those which have been brought 
to the hospital. It has been a source of much pleasure to thus give to the 
public such aid as I confidently believe will be the means of avoiding many 
of the sufferings to which our hlepless little pets have been subjected, and 
my thanks are due to the editor for his valued assistance in reducing my 
language to the wants of the English reader. 
A few remarks are first in order upon the care and health of domesti- 
cated birds as a class, for nothing is so important in the treatment of a dis- 
ease as its prevention. Many ills can be avoided by a proper attention to 
the cage and other apartments, the food, drink, and general management. 
THE CAGE AND AVIARY. 
Size. 
bird in a condition as nearly like its natural surroundings as practicable. If 
In this particular, as well as in others, it is best to keep a captive 
one can afford a spacious aviary, with suitable apartments, perches and other 
appointments, she may expect a more healthy condition and better results in 
plumage and song. But the majority are compelled to keep their birds in 
close confinement, or have none at all, and for such the first rule is that the 
cage shall be commodious enough to at least insure ease of movement. 
Cleanliness —The temperature of the body of birds is much higher 
than that of man, and their respiration is proportionately more active. 
Because of these two facts the exhalations from the skin and lungs are 
thrown off with great rapidity and demand special pains to insure the 
requisite cleanliness. Again, by the flitting and hopping of the captive 
in small apartments the water and food are scattered about, and becoming 
mingled with the droppings, which have a marked tendency to ferment, 
they soon produce a foul condition which is highly prejudicial to health. 
It is, therefore, imperative that the cage be cleaned at least once a week in 
call seasons, and still oftener in warm weather. To be sure, the desired 
neatness can be secured only by doing this daily. Indeed, the safe 
tule, from a standpoint of health, is to attend to the cage or aviary at 
once if it gives out an odor that indicates an unwholesome habitation. In 
doing this the apartment should not be left in a drenched or very damp 
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