232 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER 



will effectually prevent them from coining down and adhering 

 to the wound. 



Before operating the bird must be bandaged, and it should 

 be kept in a box, unable to move, for a few hours, till the 

 wound is a little hardened. When released the legs must be 

 tied together so as only to allow the bird to walk in its pen," 

 but not lift either foot to scratch the eye. It is also well to 

 smear some ziuc ointment on the shoulder, in order that if the 

 bird rubs its eye thereon it may do no damage, but rather get 

 a fresh application of the healing dressing. 



Wing-disease is usually a sign of scrofulous taint, but 

 probably developed in most cases by accident. A hardish 

 yellowish lump forms on the joint, and the wing either drops 

 or becomes stiff. The lump is to be painted every other day 

 with the strongest iodine liniment, also the under side opposite 

 to it. The wing itself should be clipped with scissors down to 

 a stump, so as to have rest for the remainder of the season. 

 We have found this treatment more successful than painting 

 with turpentine and slinging the wing, which may, however, 

 also be tried, as advised by Mr. Fulton. If taken early, it is 

 generally enough simply to pluck all the flights, and also all 

 the short feathers near the swelling. In all cases we would 

 give a few drops daily of syrup of hypophosphite of soda. 



There is another form of tumour in which the swelling is 

 filled with fluid ; in this case the wing should be plucked and 

 the blister opened, when the re-growth of the feathers will 

 usually prevent matter forming again. 



Wotmds of all sorts should be thoroughly cleansed with a 

 clean sponge and Condy's Red Fluid, plucking the neighbour- 

 hood if necessary. Then apply zinc ointment, and repeat this 

 occasionally till healed. 



Printed by Cassell & Company, Limited, La Belle Sa'uvage, London, E.G 



15.Z92. 



