The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



apply the splints each side and wrap with the bandage 

 quite firmly. After this is done have ready some plaster- 

 of-paris and smear that all over the bandage, holding it 

 until it dries, this when set will keep the limb in place. 

 This can be kept on until it is probable that the bone has 

 united, which ought to be in the course of two weeks ; it 

 can then be carefully removed, and if well done the 

 bird will be found but little the worse for the injury. If 

 the wing is broken it can be served in the same way, but 

 the wing should be so secured to the body that it can not 

 bear its own weight. This can be done by wrapping the 

 bandage around the body, first laying the broken, wing 

 close to the body and including that in the wrapping. 

 If the limb or wing is broken at the joint, there is little 

 need of trying to reset it, as, if healed, the wing or leg 

 would always be stiff, and a lame or stiff-winged pig- 

 eon is a blemish to any well-conducted loft. 



BROKEN BEAKS 



Pigeons' beaks sometimes are broken by quarrelling 

 and accident. These can be repaired by properly ap- 

 plying short, thin splints on the top and sides. They 

 soon heal when splints can be removed, and if well done 

 there will be but little alteration in the shape of the beak. 

 It will be necessary to feed the sufferer for awhile by 

 hand, and it should be kept in a quiet place away from 

 companions. Give, in this case, as for broken bones, 

 one or two daily doses of aconitum, three pellets at a 

 dose. This will tend to allay fever if any arise. 



TORN CROPS AND OTHER FLESH WOUNDS 



It frequently happens with pigeons flying' at large, es- 

 pecially Homing Pigeons, that they come home often 

 badly wounded by hawks and the murderous gun. As 

 soon as discovered, examine the wound, washing it care- 



147 



