68 Pigeons and All About Them. 



until she has quite recovered. If after the treatment 

 before given, the egg does not come awav, then hot 

 fomeniations must be tried. The ordinary decoction 

 of fhamomile flowers is one of the best for the pur- 

 pose — a handful of the flowers to a pint of boiling 

 water. After each fomentation dry the feathers care- 

 fully, and make the little patient as comfortable as 

 possible ere returning her to the basket. The bottom 

 of the basket Should be covered with some very soft, 

 well rubbed hay or a piece of old flannel. In very 

 stubborn cases, and as a last resort, ergot is a remedy 

 which may be tried. Give it in three drop doses three 

 times a day, till the poor little sufferor is relieved. 



TREATMENT IN EXTREME CASES. 



Prolonged cases of egg-binding usually result in 

 the setting up of inflammation of the egg passage. It 

 is, therefore, wise in such cases tO' give one or two 

 drops of laudanum in five drops of sweet or linseed 

 oil every three hours. This will ease the pain and 

 give temporary relief. It sometimes happens that the 

 egg becomes broken. If this does come about, then 

 great care must be used in getting awaj' the whole of 

 the shell, or bad inflammation will be set up. Should 

 this happen, the ergot treatment should be resorted 

 to, ais this will have caused the egg passage to dilate 

 and allow of the introduction of a small pair of 

 tweezers, with which to bring the shell away. Ere 

 using the tweezers they should be sterilised by dip- 

 ping in boiling water, wiped dry with a piece of 

 medicated lint or wool, and then, dipped in carbolised 

 oil. Some roaj' think this unnecessary. It may be, 

 but remember the whole of the organs are in a highly- 

 inflamed state, and the neglect to take ordinary anti- 

 septic precautions may result in the loss of a valuable 

 hen. 



WEARISOME AND IRRITATING. 



Bad cases of egg-binding' are most wearisome and 

 irritating, but one must not get anxious or excited. 

 It is, I know, very easy to preach, but much harder 

 to practise, and when one sees the best bird in the 



