482 BLAIN — FRACTURES 



Blain. 



This is a serious malady, supposed to be peculiar 

 to passage-hawks. It is a formation of watery 

 vesicles in the second joint of the wing. It is difficult 

 to cure, and if neglected will produce stiff-joint. 

 Nestlings are subject to it during their first year, or to 

 a complaint very similar to it, the roots of the primary 

 feathers, when nearly full-grown, breaking off short to 

 the wing. Fresh feathers may probably come again 

 at the first moult, but the stumps must not be forcibly 

 extracted. 



Fracttwes. 



These, whether simple or compound, may be 

 effectually treated if in the leg or thigh of the bird. 

 It is more difficult to bring about a cure if they occur 

 in the shoulder or wing, false-joint being liable to form. 



In a case of simple fracture, the bone when set may 

 be wrapped up in a starch bandage, or gutta-percha 

 splints, which latter can be softened by steeping them 

 in hot water previously to their being adjusted. In 

 about three weeks' time the bandage may be removed, 

 and the bird will be found well and strong again. 



In a case of compound fracture no bandage must be 

 applied until the inflammation has been relieved by 

 repeated bathings in warm water, and the bandage 

 must be arranged so as to be easily removed when 

 required from time to time. 



The bird must be kept in a darkened room and fed 

 twice daily on light diet, such as the flesh of a rabbit, 

 given by hand, and cut up into small pieces. 



