414 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
softened and comes off, so that the skin may not be torn away and thus 
induce painful and persistent ulcers. 
Too much care can not be taken to keep out lice and mites, for they 
are very injurious to the health of birds. They suck the blood, rob them 
of sleep at nights, always rapidly reduce the strength, and sometimes cause 
‘death. They gather in great numbers on the perches, in all cracks, and in 
other parts of the cage or aviary. Studious cleanliness is the best pre- 
ventive. Measures for eradication, when they have once appeared, are 
named further on, under the special treatment for lice and mites. 
Light and Ventilation.—Light and air are two of nature’s most 
potent agencies in counteracting filth. Every bird should have a liberal 
allowance of sunlight, though the power and directness of the rays are to 
be determined by the climate which is natural to the captive. Among 
those that need frequent sun-baths the canary deserves special mention, 
though it should never be subjected to extreme heat or a dazzling glare. 
For the development of the song, canaries are best kept in a very dark 
‘cage, made expressly for the purpose, except during the period of moulting 
and breeding; but this does not apply to the question of light for birds in 
general. If possible, every cage and other inclosure should be occasionally 
subjected to the full glare of the sun, the birds being meanwhile removed 
if their natural condition indicates that such exposure would be harmful. 
Both in airing and in ordinary ventilation it is imperatively essential that 
‘one avoid all direct draughts of cold or damp air on the birds, for they 
will take cold as well asa human being. The last remark is not suffi- 
ciently heeded by the ordinary fancier, and she consequently has sickly or 
dead birds. A good rule is to keep the temperature at from 65° to 40° 
Fahrenheit, with an absence of draughts. 
The Bath and Drink.—A bath should be afforded daily in some 
suitable dish or font, but on cold days and in the winter the water should 
be milk-warm, and the bath may be omitted. entirely in extreme cold 
weather. The best drink, since it is that which is provided for all birds in 
their native state, is cool, fresh water in summer, milk-warm in winter. 
Special pains is requisite in supplying it, because it will become stagnant 
by standing and is liable to be impregnated with all impurities that 
come from the body or surrounding atmosphere. Even fresh rain-water 
may be injuriously impure by standing in the open air twenty-four hours. 
It is, therefore, necessary that a supply be given at least once aday. If 
there is any doubt in respect to absolute purity, it is best to boil the water 
and give it after it has become cool. 
food.—The food, drink and air furnish the materials by which the 
repair and growth of the system are effected, and upon their selection must 
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