THE CANARY BIRD. 
39 
DISEASES. 
The Canary bird, in a state of captivity, seldom enjoying the 
open air and having but little exercise, is subject to most of 
the maladies peculiar to the domestic, feathered race. The 
diseases to which it is particularly liable, may be described 
and treated as follows:— 
1. Rupture .—This is a common malady, especially in young 
birds, and is a kind of indigestion which causes inflammation 
of the intestines. The symptoms of this disease are a lean, 
transparent, blown-up body, full of small red veins, and in 
which all the intestines seem to have fallen to the lower part 
of the body, where they become entangled and turned black. 
Too much nutritious food is the cause of this evil. All reme¬ 
dies appear to have been ineffectual in this malady, but 
assistance is sometimes obtained from a spare and simple 
diet. 
2. The Yellow Gall in the Head and Eyes may be cured by 
refreshing food; but if there be a tubercle of the size of a 
hemp seed about the head or eyes, it must be cut off, and the 
■* 
wound anointed with fresh butter. 
3. Sweating .—Some females, whilst hatching, have a sweat¬ 
ing sickness, which is injurious to the blood, and may be 
detected by the feathers of the lower part of the body being 
quite wet. The body of the bird should be washed with brine, 
and afterwards with rain or spring water to free the feathers 
of salt, and then rapidly dried by the sun or fire. This may 
be repeated once or twice a-day. This sickness, however, is 
not so prejudicial to the bird as is generally supposed. 
4. Sneezing .—This is occasioned by a stoppage of the nos¬ 
trils, and may be removed by a very small feather dipped in 
olive oil being passed through them. 
5. Loss of Voice .—If the male, after moulting, lose his voice, 
he must have diet similar to that given to young birds; that is, 
some thoroughly-baked, stale roll, dipped in boiled milk or 
water until completely saturated; then press out the milk an ’ 
