Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26

be practicable to dispose of the bird in this
manner the next best thing is to kin it and
then burn the carcass as well as putting the
cage in the fire in order to kill any germs.
But don't be in too much of a hurry to so
ungratefully dispose of an old pet unless you
are pretty well satisfied in your own mind
that such procedure is warranted, for par
rots, like humans are subject to their ups and
downs and may just happen to be feeling
punk" for day or two. nc
While 1t has not been found that lack of
cleanliness In cages causes parrot fever at the
same time it stands to reason that a dirty cage
is greater source of danger than a clean cage
Tor breeding germs If they once get foothold.
therefore 1t is well to always keep the bird
cages, perches, parrot stands and such things
scrupulously clean, both from the standpoint
OF healthfulness and appearance. This does
not mean simply wiping them off with a damn
cloth SO no dirt is visible; it means thorough
scalding with boiling hot water-plenty of H.
at reasonably frequent intervals
That parrot fever scare is quite widespread
Is evidenced by story told in New York
patrolman was sauntering along his beat
In one OF the parks late one night not long
ago when suddenly he was startled to hear
shrill screams of 'Helpl Helpl" in an excited
feminine voice. Instantly alert, he traced the
SOUNDS TO thick clump of bushes as pictures
OF maiden in distress flashed across his mind.
Getting down on hands and knees he crawled
into the bushes ready for anything-anything
except forlorn parrot shivering in the chill
night air and emitting shrieks for help!
truly, fowl deed, and later investigation
showed that the parrot belonged to a maiden
lady of the vicinity who had become alarmed
and attempted to get rid of it,
SURG. GEN HUGH S. CUMMING has tele-
graphed to the health officials in yAse
States, requesting cooperation 1t means of
course that they wish to take prompt steps to
prevent any spread, but chiefly that they wish
to gather all possible data to add to their
knowledge on the subject, its extent species
OF parrots found in homes where the illness is
reported, and methods followed to most effec.
lively combat the disease 1t is SO closely re-
lated In appearance and treatment with yari.
Gus forms of typhoid or pneumonia that it is
hard to actually distinguish except where a
psittacoSis.
So far, of the known cases of parrot fever
In only one has culture been taken to at
tempt to prove the existence of the disease
the remaining cases on record being reported
as 1T is thought that. the patient is suffering
win parrot lever, which is only superstition
based on similarity and the fact that there
may have been sick parrot in the home.
But here arises an interesting question.
IN their Wild state parrots do not suffer
from psittacoSis so far as is known. and DR.
Herbert Fox, one of the leading veterinarians of
80 N~NAAOAJs AA AAAo bOOA, OlSedSc IN Captive
Wild Mammals and BirdS"-a volume which
embraces years of study and personal expert
ence-States that on two occasions he has been
able to isolate the bacterium psittacosis. The
question then may be asked do people get
parrot fever from parrots or do parrots get
the disease from people?
For years people have been warned aho,,t
Keeping parrots in crowded rooms or around
sick people and perhaps the agitation at pre- e
over parrot fever may be effective in empha-
sizing this warning. AS matter of fact no
pet should be allowed in sick room or room
where conditions are of necessity overcrowdeSl
Whatever the cause, cases of so-called parrot
FEVER have been reported from Pennsylvania.
Rnode Island, California and Ohio so far and
whether it is only carried by some particular
species OF parrot or by parrots from some par
ucular locality, it is serious illness and one
tnat requires the prompt attention of COM
petent physician.
While numerous cases of parrot fever have
been so reported, it is quite possible that many
OF these will prove to be nothing more or lesa
than mild cases of typhoid paratyphoid %
typhoid pneumonia, for the symptoms are
nearly identical and the methods of treatment
the same as in these more commonly known
diseases. Again, it might be possible that
many cases in the past reported as typhoid or
pneumonia may have been parrot fever. The
point is open to argument
should you for any reason suspect that Won
have parrot fever the first thint to do is to
OBTAIN medical aid and if that is not promptly
available the proper measures to be taken while
awaiting the arrival of a physician are to go
10 pea and get absolute rest and quiet.
Another point and an important one is the
mental attitude toward psittacosis. Consider
the illness serious, of course, just as you would
pneumonia typhoid or any similar disorder.
out do not get panicky over the fact that it
is dread. unknown malady which doctaw-A
don't know how to treat. True it is a Tsfe
Nllf hoe
oolc intervals and the treatment is known and
has been since 1879, when it appeared in Ger
many.
Remember. 120,000,00O people in the country.