Diseases. 65 



bird in a teacup, containing warm water, for about eight 

 or ten minutes ; then dry it gently with a warm, dry rag. 

 If the bird is much exhausted, it should be folded in warm 

 flannel, and held in the hand for some time, until it gathers 

 strength. Lastly, put a few drops of olive oil into the open 

 part of the vent, roll the bird up in a piece of flannel or 

 felt, and place it in a cage or other receptacle, near the 

 fire, until it recovers. After the egg is deposited revival is 

 rapid. When a hen is about to lay, a little laxative medicine 

 is very serviceable ; stimulating food is highly commendable 

 at this time. Birds which partake of green food should 

 be liberally supplied with that commodity, and insect-eating 

 birds should have a spider daily at this time, as it acts as a 

 purgative. 



Enteritis, or Inflammation of the Bowels. — A bird suffer- 

 ing from this disorder suddenly becomes dull and listless. It 

 suffers acute pains in the abdomen, which may be discovered 

 by observing it lie with its body tightly pressed down 

 on the perch ; its eyes are dull and heavy looking, and 

 it sits with its feathers raised up, and itself drawn 

 into a **heap," looking almost as round as a ball, and 

 as miserable and disconsolate as possible. If you catch hold 

 of the bird, and blow the feathers which cover the abdomen 

 backwards, you will find there is tension of the belly, and 

 that the skin is red and inflamed. At first the skin is 

 pale, but, as the disease progresses, it becomes much redder, 

 with a blackish hue beneath. The disease is invariably 

 accompanied either with Constipation of the Bowels or 

 Diarrhoea, depending upon whether it is situated in the upper 

 or lower intestines. 



Sometimes the tongue will be found covered with sores, 

 and, in consequence, the bird refuses to partake of its food. 

 In such a case, a piece of borax, finely powdered, and placed 

 on the tongue, will give relief to the sufferer. As the 

 inflammation increases, thirst becomes intense, and, as cold 

 drinks increase the pain, add a few drops of sweet spirit of 

 nitre to the drinking-water, which should be given warm. 



The cause of this complaint is generally attributable to 

 the bird eating indigestible food or decayed vegetables, or 

 over-eating. The bowels must be acted upon first, and 

 this is best done by giving a few drops of castor oil, say, 



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