DISEASES OF POUI^TRY. 71 



ing through the mouth on account of obstruction of 

 the air passages, or disease of the lungs affecting the 

 respiration. 



Treatment. — The common treatment which con - 

 sists of tearing thedried epithelium off the tongue, be- 

 fore it has entirely separated by the natural process, is 

 cruel and injurious, often leading to the death of the 

 bird. In case of simple drying of the mouth, it is 

 sufficient to moisten the tongue with a few drops of a 

 mixture of equal parts of glycerine and water. In 

 case there is redness of the membrane, or if the epithe- 

 lium is beginning to separate, or if a deposit has . 

 formed, add twenty grains of chlorate of potash to 

 each ounce of this mixture. An excellent remedy for 

 such cases is made by dissolving fifteen grains of boric 

 acid in an ounce of water. Both of these solutions 

 are harmless and may be freely and frequently applied. 

 When the epithelium is separating, it should be kept 

 moistened with the glycerine mixture and its detach - 

 ment may be somewhat facilitated by loosening it with- 

 a pin or the point of a penknife, but great care should 

 be exercised, the sensitive tissues should not be touched 

 and no blood should be drawn. If properly treated 

 the disease remains localized and is of slight import- 

 ance. The exaggerated idea prevalent as to the dan- 

 gerous character of "pip," probably arises from its 

 being associated with serious diseases of the respira- 

 tory organs and from the fatal results which follow the 

 forcible tearing away of the dried epithelium, leaving 

 a bleeding and ulcerating surface. Should the drying 

 and irritation of the membrane be the result of breath - 

 ing through the mouth on account of disease of the 

 air passages or lungs, the latter must, of course, be 

 treated to effect a permanent cure. 



