186 PIGE0XS. 



most frequently affected, apparently from the circumstance of its being largely 

 extended in flight. In the early stages, wing disease may be cured by the appli- 

 cation of tincture of iodine, which causes the absorption of scrofulous deposit, 

 attention being paid to the general health of the bird ; but, in advanced cases, 

 recovery is hopeless. In many cases of partial recovery from this disease a 

 stiff joint remains, and the bird is incapable of flight. A cock bird with such a 

 deposit is perfectly useless, but a hen may still be bred from ; although, unless 

 her characteristics are of unusual excellence, we should strongly advise her 

 destruction, scrofula in all its forms being one of the most hereditary of 

 diseases. 



Scrofula often occurs in the liver and other organs in the form of white 

 tubercles. In these cases the birds lose flesh and are said to " go light." The 

 only effectual treatment is that extension of the cervical vertebrae which is 

 commonly known as " wringing their necks." 



Roup is a disease affecting the mucous membranes lining the mouth, nostrils, 

 and air-passages, and often extending up the tear-ducts into the eyes. It is a low 

 form of inflammatory action, resembling a severe cold or influenza. In bad cases it 

 becomes purulent, matter is formed in the eyes and nose, an offensive discharge 

 takes place, and in this condition there can be no doubt that the disease is 

 contagious ; the affected bird in drinking contaminates the water, and so affects 

 those who drink after it. Roup may originate at any time by exposure to cold and 

 wet, either in the loft, or at an exhibition or railway station ; consequently valuable 

 and delicate birds should always be sent to shows in hampers, the sides of which 

 are lined with canvas. 



Warmth alone will not unfrequently restore those birds that are but slightly 

 affected. In more advanced cases we have found copaiba balsam, which has an 

 almost specific effect on mucous membranes, very advantageous. The most ready 

 way of administering it is to procure some of the gelatinous capsules containing the 

 drug, and give one at night to the affected bird. In severer cases, where the 

 discharge is offensive and purulent, a few drops of a lotion made of five grains of 

 nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) in an ounce of rain or distilled water may be 

 applied to the eye ; but it should be remembered that this stains the skin of the 

 fingers or any animal substance with which it comes in contact. During roup 

 the birds should be kept very warm and well nourished with stimulating food, 

 ( such as hemp-seed. 



Soke Eyes (Conjunctivitis) is particularly common in carriers and barbs, owing 

 to the great development of wattle around the eye and the tendency that old birds 

 have to the formation of spouts by the turning out of the lower lid. The lotion of 

 lunar caustic is very effectual in these cases, or, if preferred, a very small 

 fragment of an ointment composed of five or even ten grains of lunar caustic to 

 an ounce of unsalted lard may be employed. The spouts, as they are termed, 

 may be removed by being cut from below upwards with a pair of very sharp 

 scissors. 



