THE EARLY HISTORY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 353 
mation of the nasal passages in these birds, and apthse in the 
mouth, and the connexion of this with inflammation and sup¬ 
puration of the liver, a viscus which is often much diseased in all 
birds. He gives some interesting details of inflammation of the 
eyes in falcons, and particularly of ophthalmia, and mucous dis¬ 
charge from the eyelids, for which he recommends cauterization 
of the edges. He likewise treats of opacities of the cornea, and 
worms that are found in the tissue of the eyelids, very much 
resembling the Jilaria ahhreviata, and which have been found 
in modern times in ihefalco n&vius, and in some other birds of 
the same species. Among the nervous diseases, he mentions 
epileptic fits. He speaks also of indigestion and of intestinal 
worms—of emphysema, which he proposes to combat by prick¬ 
ing the skin with a needle—of inflammation of the claws, a 
disease very common among domesticated birds—and of many 
other maladies of these animals, which merit the attention of 
observers. Superstition is banished altogether from this work, 
which interests the naturalist as well as the sportsman; for 
Demetrius accurately describes every kind of falcon used at 
that time. The remedies are simple, and appropriate to the 
organization of the animals to which they are administered. 
The bleeding from the thigh, although-covered with feathers, is 
not omitted. 
A few fragments of the works of the old veterinarians on 
the diseases of poultry are preserved. Praxamus has prescribed 
certain remedies against many of the diseases of pullets, and, 
among others, against ophthalmia, which he combats with sal- 
ammoniac; and diarrhoea, and worms, and catarrh. Columella 
has mentioned inflammation and suppuration of the feet of these 
animals, under the name of podagra* It may be readily be¬ 
lieved, seeing the want of knowledge of natural history and its 
kindred sciences among the Greeks, that Demetrius is superior 
to them all ; and even in a subject of minor importance like 
this, he stands far above any of his own age, who ofler nothing 
but a state of lamentable decline in every branch of human 
science. 
