60 



off until the blood comes and burnt powdered alum sprinkled 

 on. This is one of the most effective cures for canker. Canker 

 in the ear is not as easily cured as canker in the mouth, and the 

 ear washed gently with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and 

 water daily will affect a cure if taken in time and the bird is 

 given the proper attention. 



Pigeon Pox. 



A common and contagious disease caused by filthy condi- 

 tions, moulding food, filthy drinking water, etc., is pigeon pox. 

 It first makes its appearance like a little pimple and developes 

 into a warty growth. When pulled off small root-like threads 

 come with it and a quantity of pus and a watery fluid which has 

 a very disagreeable odor. The only cure known is to cut around 

 the growth in such a way so that when the wart is pulled off 

 the roots will come with it. Then wash the wound with a solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid and water and then apply a healing salve. 

 The disease is curable, but remember very contagious. 



Going Light. 



Going light is the curse of the pigeon world. Whole flocks 

 have been cleared out, and on account of this disease many hun- 

 dreds of fanciers gave up the business in despair and disgust 

 and when it makes its appearance quick action is necessary to 

 prevent it from spreading. It is sometimes caused by birds get- 

 ting chilled coming or going to shows. Dirty food and water, 

 filthy houses and runs and tuberculosis can, in almost every 

 instance, be traced to some neglect on the part of the owner. 

 From appearances to the unexperienced the bird seenls well but 

 in a few days dies, having wasted to a mere skeleton. The dis- 

 ease starts with diarrhcea, and in the course of a few days the 

 bird becomes so weak that it is unable to flub. When a bird so 

 afiSicted is found I would advise to take it out of the flock and 

 kill it. While there are a number of remedies that in some cases 

 will curci yet I do not think it advisable to give any here. As 

 stated above, when it is first discovered, kill the specimen, clean 

 up, disinfect and eradicate the cause which in nearly every case 

 you are able to do. 



