CHAPTER XLVION DISEASES OF THE EAR
Shouldyour hawk get a swelling on the ear, which afterwards produces pus, the chances are that she will become deaf: if this disease does nothing more, it will at least render her useless for sport. This ailment is found in the long-winged, rarely in the short-winged, hawks, for it arises from an ill-fitting hood; that is to say, a hawk is fitted with a hood too large for her, which she consequently casts repeatedly; the irritated falconer then tiesa knot in the strap, and this knot, pressing on the ear, results in a wound[672]which refuses to heal. For this there is no cure.
I once had an excellent gazelle-saker that became afflicted with this disease. In spite of this ailment, however, she used to take daily, one, or two, or three gazelle. I treated her for two years without effect, and she then died.
If the falconer detects the injury in its initial stage and applies two leeches to the swelling, a curemaybe effected. If not, no further treatment will avail. You will now understand why I cautioned you, in a previous chapter, against putting a new hood on a newly caught falcon, or on a falcon just taken up from the moult. Let the hood be soft and part-worn, and of a size that fits the head.
FOOTNOTES:[671]Kundush, Ar., a sternutatory plant, said to be identical with thenak-chhiknīof the Hindus.[672]It is difficult to see how the knot would press on the ear. The hood used in Baghdad and in the ports of the Persian Gulf is a soft leather bag with a strap, the eye-coverings being slightly hardened and made to protrude. This pattern differs essentially from the Indian patterns.
[671]Kundush, Ar., a sternutatory plant, said to be identical with thenak-chhiknīof the Hindus.
[671]Kundush, Ar., a sternutatory plant, said to be identical with thenak-chhiknīof the Hindus.
[672]It is difficult to see how the knot would press on the ear. The hood used in Baghdad and in the ports of the Persian Gulf is a soft leather bag with a strap, the eye-coverings being slightly hardened and made to protrude. This pattern differs essentially from the Indian patterns.
[672]It is difficult to see how the knot would press on the ear. The hood used in Baghdad and in the ports of the Persian Gulf is a soft leather bag with a strap, the eye-coverings being slightly hardened and made to protrude. This pattern differs essentially from the Indian patterns.