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has recovered sufficiently, a warm bath should be administered, 

 or a vapour bath, and a purgative of some kind, such as two 

 or three drops of castor oil, dropped from the end of a knitting- 

 needle that has been previously heated to make the oil run 

 readily into the mouth of the bird ; or a few senna leaves 

 (three to six) may be immersed for ten minutes in boiling 

 water, and given to the bird to drink in place of its 

 ordinary drinking-water. The application of a weak solution 

 of ammonia to the bird's nostrils is a very commendable 

 remedy, as it will at times revive it. Birds subject to this 

 complaint should be given a little of Parrish's Chemical 

 Food in their drinking-water, and ten drops of tincture of 

 lobelia as well. 



Hepatitis, or Inflammation of the Liver. — This disease 

 is the result of feeding too exclusively on a stimulating diet, 

 such as hemp seed, inga seed, and other fat and blood-pro- 

 ducing ingredients. Inflammation of the liver is of two kinds 

 — the acute, and the chronic. The former is the type which 

 carries off so many young birds. At the beginning of the 

 disorder the bird droops, looks lumpy, fretful, and restless. 

 There is a good deal of fever accompanying it ; this may be 

 ascertained by handling the bird, which will be found quite 

 hot. There is also a considerable amount of moisture present, 

 as if the bird had perspired greatly. Its movements are rest- 

 less, it goes about the bottom of the cage and feeding trough 

 in search of something to bring relief. In such cases, give first 

 a preparation composed of mercury and chalk (to be obtained 

 already prepared at most chemists), and James's Powder, in 

 equal proportions. Give it in half-grain doses, every two 

 hours ; open the bird's beak as wide as possible, and hold its 

 head well back, and blow the powder into the throat through 

 a piece of quill; then wash it down with a little water. A 

 piece of dandelion root, first washed and scraped, and after- 

 wards roasted, should be placed in the drinking water ; also 

 a teaspoonful of compound infusion of senna, diluted to the 

 usual strength. When the bird has had its bowels freely 

 opened, the senna may be discontinued. 



In all cases of inflammation of the liver the bowels must 

 be acted upon promptly. Occasionally it is necessary, if the 

 disease is somewhat advanced, to commence by giving two or 

 three drops of castor oil. The diet must be low ; a little 



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