DIPHTHERITIC AND CROUP. 



115 



cap with which the creature fastens upon the membranse of 

 the head of the windpipe, or upon those of the pipe itself, 

 singly or in numbers, thus producing the effect of " cupping." 

 It causes a swelling, a reddish appearance, a thick, tough 

 crust of phlegm, and thereby, as well as by the bulk of its 

 body, which increases through continuous suction, it pro- 

 duces suffocation. The symptoms are : A peculiar cough, 

 a tremulous movement of the head, laboured breathing, 

 opening the beak wide, gasping for air, and throwing out of 

 phlegm. Contagion is produced by other birds eating up 

 the phlegm of the sick bird, in which the eggs of the para- 

 site are found in immense numbers. Preventative measure : 

 Strict isolation and minute observation of the sick bird, a 

 dry and well ventilated dwelling, and scrupulous cleanliness, 

 also a thorough scouring of the cages and walls, as well as 

 the feeding and drinking utensils, with hot soap-water and 

 carbolic acid. Remedies : Inspection of the head of the 

 windpipe and extraction (with pincers) of the worm, intro- 

 ducing pure oil of turpentine or benzine, inhalation of steam 

 of creosote (a red-hot iron being dipped into a solution of 

 1c. and 500 water), and a dose of a few drops of linseed 

 oil. 



Diphtheritis and Croup is produced by vegetable 

 parasites called " gregarines." 1 Symptoms : Coughing, sneez- 

 ing, difficult breathing, with open beak, shaking of the head, 

 an excretion of sw T eetly-smelling phlegm, and difficulty in 

 swallowing, gasping for air and increasing difficulty in breath- 

 ing, accompanied by a snore and a rattle in the throat, in- 

 creasing debility, sitting on the ground, with drooping wings 

 and closed eyes, almost always attended by intestinal catarrh, 

 with slimy and watery evacuations, also a trembling and 



1 Gregarines or Psorospermies are microscopic infusvriae which 

 lately have appeared in herds (grex), and are considered to be 

 vegetable organisms, causing grave illnesses to men and animals. 



