374 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeoks. 
Let us, however, take this last opportunity of repeating that much can be done to prevent 
disease. It is not correct to say, as some have said, that clean water, &c., will prevent canker, and 
so on ; but much, very much, does depend on such a simple attention, on other details of 
cleanliness, on due space for exercise, on ventilation, and above all, on not over-crowding. This 
last fault is the bane of three fanciers out of four. People keep perhaps a score of birds, and 
attempt to rear the offspring, with the result of bringing to maturity one to each pair, none 
of which are really healthy and strong, when, if they had kept but two pairs of fine birds, they 
might have reared as many, would have had them in close and racy-looking show order, not 
had one-tenth the trouble or one-half the expense for food, and lastly, from breeding only the 
very pick — the best four out of the twenty — would have had a far higher quality. Let it be 
remembered that no interest of our own would prompt any such advice as this ; and let the 
reader profit by it. 
It only remains to say that where one dose only is named in any of the following paragraphs, 
it is supposed to be the average dose for an average pigeon of full age. Exceptionally large and 
strong birds may have rather more, while small varieties will need little more than half, and young 
birds according to age. We may also add that where capsules are recommended, if the bird be 
very low and weak it is best to give the oil or other medicine by a small glass tube with a bulb in 
the middle, such as is made for chemical experiments, and called a pipette. The bulb is filled by 
suction, when the finger placed on the larger end of the tube will restrain all flow till the other end 
be placed in the throat, after which, by removing the finger, as many drops can be given as are 
necessary. Many capsules are made too thick, in which case a weak bird cannot dissolve the 
gelatine, and an obstruction is formed which may be fatal. 
Broken Legs. — See “Fractures.” 
Canker. — The treatment of this disease has been already described at pages 88, 89, as regard? 
Carriers, and page 180 for the form in which it usually affects Tumblers. [Another treatment, 
which may be confidently recommended for canker in most pigeons, is the clearing away of the 
secretion on the diseased surface, and anointing, by means of a camel-hair pencil, with carbolic acid 
one part to glycerine eight parts. This may be applied to either ear, throat, or mouth ; and many to 
whom we have recommended it, especially Barb and Carrier breeders, assure us it has been the most 
successful of any treatment they have tried. It does not, however, suit some small birds when 
applied internally, and we have known it throw Foreign Owls into convulsions. For internal 
application — as to the throat — the strength of the acid should, therefore, be reduced one-half in 
treating small varieties. — Ed.] 
Cold. — [If a cold is observed in the earlier stages, which may be known by a slight moisture 
at the eyes or nostrils, and the bird huddling up, with failing appetite, a cure may often be effected 
by giving one drop of tincture of aconite (we mean of the British Pharmacopoeia, not any homeo- 
pathic dilution) in a tea-spoonful of water (half the quantity for a small bird), and putting in a 
warm pen for a few days. It assists to bathe the feet in warm water for a few minutes, well 
drying afterwards. If the head swells it must be bathed, according to the treatment under roup, 
which see. — Ed.] 
Constipation. — Though purgatives do not act uniformly upon pigeons, they usually do act ; 
and castor-oil, Epsom salts, or jalap, may be given in case of need with reasonable prospect of 
