Diseases. 



75 



will produce it — the unexpected appearance of a dog or cat, or 

 similar cause. It arises from affections of the heart generally. 

 If a bird is observed to be suddenly attacked by a fainting 

 fit, remove it gently from the cage, so as not to excite it in 

 any way. Sprinkle a few drops of strong liquid ammonia, 

 diluted with water, or a little sal-volatile or Eau-de-Cologne, 

 on a handkerchief, and place it lightly over the head of the 

 bird, leaving plenty of space for fresh air. This will gene- 

 rally afford much relief to the little sufferer. An attack of 

 this complaint is sometimes attended with fatal results, 

 though such is seldom the case if the remedies here re- 

 commended are resorted to. A bird seized with this malady 

 requires immediate and energetic attention. 



TuMOUES OR Wens. — Birds are occasionally affected by 

 these extraneous growths, which commence at the root of 

 the beak, or at the back or side of the head. There are 

 two classes, viz., solid and encysted. The principal forms 

 of the solid Tumour, which is much longer in maturing than 

 the encysted kind, are those termed adipose or fatty, the 

 fibrous, exostosis, or bony. 



The solid Tumour is enveloped in a dense cellular sheath, 

 which separates the diseased from the healthy parts ; whilst 

 the encysted Tumour, on the contrary, must be considered 

 as an integral part of the Tumour ; for, should any part of 

 the cyst be left, the disease is sure to be reproduced. Hence 

 it is necessary, in performing an operation, to carefully 

 remove the cyst as well as the extraneous growth. 



The encysted Tumour is that known among medical men 

 as encephaloid, melanoid, fungus, hsematodes or bleeding 

 cancer, &c. ; and is known among fanciers as cancer of 

 the bill," "yellow gall," and "warts on the head." 



Discutients, such as iodine and mercury, are occasionally 

 applied for the removal of these unsightly growths, but 

 the knife or scissors is the only effectual remedy. Cut 

 away the substance carefully but thoroughly as soon as it 

 is mature, and, if it bleeds rather freely, apply a little 

 burnt alum, or a few drops of the muriated tincture of 

 iron. Should these remedies prove unavailing, cautery must 

 be resorted to — i.e., burn the part with an iron previously 

 heated to whiteness ; a fine soldering-iron, or, in some cases, 

 a knitting needle, would suffice for the purpose. When the 



