224 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



generally successful. There is, however, one most important 

 circumstance to add, as bearing on internal treatment. Many- 

 post-mortem examinations* have revealed the fact that fatal 

 cases of canker are very often associated with scrofulous or 

 tuberculous disease of the liver. Guided by this indication, 

 when canker has largely affected young birds in a loft, as it 

 often does, we have prescribed the administration of three to 

 ten drops (according to size and age of the young bird), twice 

 daily, of syrup of hypophosphite of iron or soda, with the best 

 effects. It should be given just after each feed, as soon as the 

 young squeaker is old enough to bear the administration of the 

 bread or oatmeal pill in which it must be mixed, and is the 

 nearest to a specific for scrofulous or tuberculous constitution 

 that we know. 



In a large class of cases canker attacks the throat, 

 especially of young birds, and grows there with alarming 

 rapidity, being also, to all appearances, infectious. This form 

 of the disease deserves to be called diphtheria, and may even 

 be that complaint ; it is, at least, certainly encouraged by 

 want of pure air, and as evidently discouraged by ample ven- 

 tilation. Here the medicine should be a few drops of iron 

 tonic with chlorate of potass, and the application to the throat 

 must be different. The best prescription is as follows : — Car- 

 bolic acid, one drachm ; sulphurous acid, three drachms; solution 

 of perchloride of iron, half an ounce ; glycerine, half an ounce ; 

 to be applied several times a day with a camel-hair pencil. In 

 all cases of canker and diphtheria the greatest cleanliness 

 should be observed, and the pens and loft copiously syringed 

 with diluted Condy's Fluid. Mild cases of canker in the nest 

 can often be cured by an ordinary rhubarb pUl, or perhaps a 

 second may be needed ; such cases being often really due to 

 improper food, and consequent indigestion. 



* Made by oorrmetent veterinary authorities through The Live Stock 

 Journal, 



