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Our  Canaries 
certain  foreign  Finches,  but  as  one  or  two  cases  have  aroused  suspicion  of  late 
we  mention  the  matter  here.  As  it  is  most  contagious  it  behoves  every  fancier 
to  stamp  out  its  first  appearance  when  recognised,  and  burn  all  perches  and 
disinfect  the  cages  occupied  by  affected  birds.  The  sketch  given  of  the 
disease  shows  the  feet  of  a  bird  which  was  but  slightly  affected.  It  is  more 
fully  described  in  an  article  on  the  Dutch  Frill  which  is  kindly  contributed  to 
our  chapter  on  that  variety  by  a  native  of  Trinidad.  If  recognised  at  the 
beginning,  when  only  a  small  part  of  one  toe  is  affected,  amputation  of  the  affected 
part  is  the  most  rational  treatment,  putting  sentiment  aside  to  render  good  service 
to  the  subject.  Any  other  treatment  is  probably  worse  than  useless  by  keeping  up 
and  spreading  the  contagion.  A  recent  writer  in  Cage  Birds  gave  a  remedy  for 
what  was  evidently  this  disease,  which,  curiously  enough,  is  practically  identical 
with  that  in  vogue  among  Trinidad  fanciers,  but  whereas  this  writer  claims  it  to 
be  a  cure,  we  are  informed  by  our  Trinidad  correspondent  that  the  relief  is  but 
temporary,  and  that  the  growth  of  the  substance  quickly  recommences. 
THE  REMEDY. 
In  the  words  of  the  writer  :  "  Procure  a  small  bottle  of  peroxide  of  hydrogen  ; 
pour  a  tablespoonful  in  a  saucer  ;  catch  the  bird  and  place  feet  in  liquid ;  keep 
them  there  until  it  stops  foaming.  Then  take  the  bird,  wipe  its  feet  and  have 
ready  a  small  bottle  of  lotion,  viz. :  one  part  collodion,  one  part  salicylic  acid,  and 
paint  the  feet  with  this  lotion,  using  a  small  camel-hair  brush  for  the  purpose. 
Give  three  coats,  and  see  that  each  is  perfectly  dry  before  painting  again.  In  a 
day  or  two  after  place  in  a  saucer  a  very  small  piece  of  soda  (common  washing) 
and  pour  a  little  boiling  water  over  ;  and  as  soon  as  the  soda  water  gets  cool, 
place  the  bird's  feet  into  the  liquid  for  a  few  minutes.  Wipe,  and  then  repeat  the 
treatment.  You  will  find  in  a  week's  time  that  the  bird  will  be  completely  cured. 
If,  however,  it  still  suppurates,  repeat  the  process  again.  The  peroxide  will 
clear  all  the  matter,  leaving  it  quite  healthy." 
LIVER,  CONGESTION  OF. 
This  is  frequently  the  result  of  prolonged  high  feeding  on  too  stimulating 
foods.  When  a  bird  is  continually  dull  and  sleepy,  picking  over  its  food,  but 
eating  little,  often  constipated,  and  occasionally  troubled  with  undue  looseness, 
puffy  in  feather,  and  very  susceptible  to  weather  changes,  liver  derangements 
may  be  suspected.  Keep  the  bird  in  a  nice  cosy  place,  but  not  overheated,  and 
see  it  is  quite  free  from  draughts  and  extreme  variations  of  heat  and  cold.  Give 
a  diet  of  plain  canary  seed  only  as  staple,  with  a  pinch  of  summer  rape  twice  a 
week,  and  every  second  day  a  morsel  of  bread  and  milk  sprinkled  with  maw 
seed.  Give  a  variety  of  green  food  daily.  In  each  ounce  of  drinking  water  add 
six  drops  each  of  dandelion  juice  and  syrup  of  rhubarb  until  a  free  action  of  the 
bowels  is  obtained.    After  this  a  crystal  of  sulphate  of  soda  the  size  of  a  split 
