64 



British Cage Birds. 



stomacli. It arises from a vitiated state of the bile, or from 

 eating too much indigestible food, and want of exercise. 

 When the attack is in the limbs and feet, it is best to im- 

 merse them in rather hot water, but not so hot that you 

 cannot bear to keep your hand in it for a short time. Keep 

 them immersed for ten or twelve minutes, and give the bird 

 an aperient of any sort. When the complaint attacks the 

 stomach, give 20 drops of antimonial wine and 10 drops of 

 the tincture of opium to IJoz. of water, which should be 

 substituted for the ordinary drinking-water. In violent cases, 

 a little warm turpentine may be applied to the affected 

 parts with a camel's hair brush ; and if a few drops of lauda- 

 num be added, the effect will be further enhanced. 



Decline. — See Phthisis or Consumption. 



DiARRHCEA. — This is a very common complaint among 

 newly-caught birds, and no doubt originates from a variety 

 of causes, such as a sudden change of diet, fear, and repining 

 after their companions and their freedom. It is easily 

 detected by observing the bird frequently going to stool, 

 and voiding a white, chalky-looking substance, of a watery 

 consistency, and which adheres in a disagreeable way to the 

 feathers surrounding the vent, and to the tail and wing ends 

 of the bird. It will furthermore be observed that there is 

 swelling and inflammation in the neighbourhood of the 

 rectum, according to the length and severity of the attack. 

 The most efficacious remedy is to give first two or three 

 drops of castor oil and the same quantity of brandy, 

 mixed, to clear out the bowels and mitigate pain. To 

 20grs. of finely-powdered prepared chalk add loz. of mint 

 or cinnamon water, and give this mixture in place of 

 the usual drinking-water. A change of diet is very essential 

 in all cases of this sort, and the more nearly it can be 

 procured to the food eaten by the bird in its wild state the 

 better. When the patient is sufficiently recovered to do 

 without the chalk, &c., place a very rusty old nail in its 

 drinking-water, as it will prove a useful tonic. 



Egg-bound. — When a case of this sort is observed, catch 

 the bird, and for a few minutes foment the vent and sur- 

 rounding parts with a piece of sponge or flannel which has 

 been previously immersed in warm water. Another, and 

 perhaps a better, plan is to immerse the lower parts of the 



