66 



British Cage Birds. 



from three to five, according to the size and strength of the 

 bird, and applying a little heated turpentine to the bowels 

 with a camel-hair brush. After the bowels have been freely 

 acted upon, give the bird, in place of its drinking-water, 

 a solution, made by dissolving about a scruple of gum arable 

 (the elect gum) in two fluid ounces of mint or cinnamon 

 water, to which has been added ten drops of laudanum. 

 Keep the bird in a warm, even temperature, and give it a 

 nutritious diet, but one easy of digestion. After the bird 

 has recovered from the effects of the attack, give it some 

 tonic medicine, such as a weak infusion of gentian, or a few 

 drops of the tincture of quassia and iron — or even a rusty 

 nail placed in the drinking trough will be sufficient, in place 

 of the tincture of iron. These remedies do not succeed in 

 effecting a cure in every case, but if given in the early stages 

 of the disease they seldom fail to do so. 



Fainting. — See Syncope. 



Feet, Sore. — See Sore Feet. 



Fever, Pairing. — See Pairing Fever. 



Fever, Typhus. — See Typhus Fever. 



Fits. — Some birds are subject to a species of vertigo, 

 known in surgery as cerebral epilepsy. When the paroxysm 

 begins, the bird drops from its perch, and commences 

 to struggle, violently at times, and is unable to regain the 

 use of its limbs so long as the fit continues. Sometimes 

 the attacks are comparatively slight, and the bird gradually 

 recovers ; at other times, they are so severe that, unless 

 relief can be given, death speedily ensues. These paroxysms 

 generally increase in severity with each succeeding attack, 

 and if a bird is subject to them, it becomes weaker, 

 its constitution is undermined, and in the end it dies. This 

 disease, which is of a painful nature, may result from a 

 variety of causes, such as over-feeding, constipation, the con- 

 stant use of rich, stimulating food, the want of sufficient 

 fresh air or change of diet ; or it ma}'' be, and no doubt 

 sometimes is, hereditary. Sudden fright has been known to 

 produce it, and more particularly in a case where a bird has 

 had a narrow escape from the claws of a cat. 



A bird seized with a fit of this kind should be removed 

 from the cage at once, and held in the hand near a fire, or 

 folded in flannel and placed inside the fender. When it 



