Our  Canaries 
133 
and  rapid  to  allow  any  treatment  to  be  adopted.  Prevention  is  the  only 
rational  thing.  Birds  of  an  overfed,  full,  plethoric  habit  are  the  most 
likely  victims,  and  if  such  specimens,  especially  when  not  mated,  show  undue 
excitement  during  the  spring  and  summer  months,  they  should  be  restricted 
to  a  limited  diet  of  seeds,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  green  food,  together  with 
aperients  if  necessary  to  keep  them  free  from  constipation.  If  an  attack 
could  be  anticipated  with  certainty  for  a  day,  or  in  the  case  of  a  bird  having 
a  slight  seizure  and  recovering,  the  removal  of  the  whole  of  the  tail  feathers 
in  addition  to  above  treatment  will  give  it  the  best  chance  of  avoiding  or 
recovering  from  attack. 
ASTHMA. 
The  cause,  symptoms  and  remedy  will  be  found  in  Dr.  Bowes'  article 
at  commencement  of  this  chapter.  Other  very  useful  remedies  are : — 
I.  R/-  Potass:  lod  :  5  grains  ;  Tinct :  squillse,  Ammon  :  Brom  :  and  Chlorodyne 
(Squire's),  each  30  drops  ;  Vin :  ipecac :  10  drops ;  Decoction  of  Senega  to 
one  ounce.  Dose:  six  drops  in  each  tablespoonful  of  drinking  water.  II. 
R/-  Glyc :  Chlorodyne,  Oxymel  of  Squills,  and  Vin :  ipecac :  equal  parts  of 
each.  Dose  :  five  drops  to  each  tablespoonful  of  water.  These  mixtures  should 
be  dispensed  by  a  chemist. 
BALDNESS. 
When  not  the  direct  result  of  insect  pests  the  loss  of  plumage  which 
generally  occurs  about  the  head  and  neck  is  almost  invariably  the  result 
of  age  or  debility.  Advantage  should  be  taken  of  natural  moulting  time 
to  treat  the  complaint.  Warmth,  frequent  bathing,  a  generous  but  not  too 
fattening  diet,  minus  hemp,  and  a  dusting  of  a  mixture  of  two  parts  flowers 
of  sulphur  to  one  part  chlorate  of  potash  on  a  little  bread  and  milk  twice 
a  week  is  the  best  treatment.  Externally  the  bare  places  may  be  slightly 
moistened  twice  a  week  with  carbolised  vaseline,  or  a  mixture  of  equal  parts 
glycerine  and  perchloride  of  iron.  In  very  obstinate  cases  paint  twice  a 
week  for  a  month  or  so  with  a  mixture  of  two  parts  glycerine  to  one  part 
glacial  acetic  acid.  This  must  be  used  quite  sparingly,  not  in  greater 
strength  than  the  above,  and  not  applied  anywhere  near  the  eyes. 
BOWELS,  INFLAMMATION  OF. 
Occurs  in  birds  from  a  variety  of  causes,  but  most  frequently  from  errors 
of  diet,  or  impure  food  or  water.  The  bird  becomes  dull  and  listless  and 
rapidly  passes  on  to  a  state  of  utter  collapse.  Constipation  may  be  present 
at  the  beginning,  but  gives  place  to  more  or  less  severe  diarrhoea.  If  the  bird 
is  caught  and  feathers  of  the  abdomen  blown  aside,  the  inflamed  condition  is  only 
too  obvious.  The  first  step  in  treatment  is  to  see  that  everything  is  in  a 
thoroughly  clean  and  sanitary  condition.  Keep  bird  in  a  cosy  but  well- 
ventilated  place,  free  from  draughts,  and  on  a  diet  of  bread  and  milk,  with 
