The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



gentle pressure until the hardened matter is worked 

 out ; do this two or three times each day until the gland 

 resumes its normal condition and the oil is secreted as 

 usual. Pulling out the entire tail-feathers, especially if 

 in the fall of the year, often effects a perfect cure. Use 

 internally, hepar sulphur, putting eight to ten pellets in 

 the drinking-cup with clean, fresh water, changing 

 water every other day until natural condition is restored. 



FIFTH DIVISION 



Diseases of the Limbs 



CORNS 



This is a name given by fanciers to a disease of a 

 scrofulous nature affecting the joints of wings and legs. 

 It first makes its appearance in an inflamed condition of 

 the joint affected. The bird will, if affected in the 

 wing, drop the wing slightly, seem imeasy, and peck 

 often at the joint. If in the joints of the leg, it will 

 limp and frequently draw the leg up. Noticing any 

 of these symptoms, catch the bird and examine it for 

 the trouble. The joint will be found much inflamed, and 

 sometimes hard and firm and again apparently filled 

 with a watery matter. If neglected the swelling will 

 enlarge until the skin breaks, and the cheesy scrofulous 

 matter that has been gradually collecting presses itself 

 out, and is covered with a dark-colored scab. When 

 it reaches this stage the pigeon better be killed and put 

 out of its misery, as it can not be cured, and while, if a 

 hen, could be bred from, it is in no way advisable to 

 breed from birds in such a diseased condition. If the 

 disease is still neglected, and the pigeon allowed to li^'e, 



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