74 THE PIGEON BOOK 



sometimes a tumour can be lanced and removed, or a 

 canker growth removed after being burnt away, but other- 

 wise surgical operations should not be attempted by un- 

 skilled persons. 



In the case of wounds resulting from shooting, the 

 feathers should be removed from round the wound as 

 cleanly as possible, and if it is thought that the shot is 

 still in the wound, it can sometimes be removed by prob- 

 ing ; but if the wound is kept clean and healthy in the 

 course of a short period the blood will dry, and it may 

 be possible to remove the core from the wound, bringing 

 the shot away with it. 



The best dressing for shot wounds I have found to be 

 vaseline, which cools the skin round the wound, and 

 allays irritation. 



Broken legs can, as a rule, be repaired if taken in 

 time, unless the break is at the knee-joint. 



The knee-joint is of such delicate construction that it 

 is seldom possible to repair a broken knee-joint in a 

 pigeon. In the case of a broken leg, I have found that 

 if placed in light splints, and carefully bound round 

 with tape steeped in stiff starch, their recovery is very 

 speedy. 



A broken wing can be slung, but is seldom useful after- 

 wards, and birds have difficulty in flying, although they 

 will be able to fly round home. 



Wing Disease. 



This disease, commonly called lump in wing, is very 

 prevalent in low-lying districts, and is due to various 

 causes. I have been very fortunate in my long experience 

 with pigeons in never having had a single case of wing 

 disease in my loft. 



When I used to take great interest in experimenting 



