298 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
CUTANEOUS HORNY GROWTHS 
Horny growths on the skin of birds are not rare. They result from 
a proliferation of the epithelial cells and subsequent hardening of the 
tissue causing deformity. The growths have no effect upon the 
general health. When the location interferes with function as on 
the beak, operative treatment is indicated. 
In parrots cutaneous horny growths occur, which are of tuberculous 
origin. Klee reports that skin horns occur in about 50 per cent of 
parrots affected with tuberculosis. 
DUBBING OR CROPPING 
The removal of the comb and wattles is commonly practiced in pre- 
paring game birds for the ring. It is also performed upon male 
breeding birds of some breeds where the comb and wattles are abnor- 
mally developed. ‘The removal of these structures is said to improve 
the condition of the bird and increase the percentage of fertile eggs. 
The operation is indicated in bad cases of frost bite and in the in- 
fectious disease known as edema of the wattles. 
In removing the comb, the bird is held by an assistant who grasps 
the two legs with one hand and the wings with the other. The 
operator grasps the comb firmly and cuts with a knife from the base 
forward to the beak as close to the head as possible. Hemorrhage 
may usually be controlled by pouring cold water upon the head, but 
if not, the actual cautery may be applied. Curved surgical scissors 
may be employed in removing the wattles, which operation does not 
cause such severe hemorrhage. Antiseptic dusting powders may be 
applied to the wounds. The bird should be kept secluded until the 
wounds have entirely healed, before being turned loose among other 
birds. 
FRACTURED BONES 
Broken bones are not rare among fowls as a result of accidents, 
fighting and mistreatment. Pigeons frequently break wing bones by 
colliding with objects during flight. Bones of the feet may be frac- 
tured when the bird becomes entangled and struggles while hanging 
by the feet. 
A cure is possible and probable if the break is fresh and uncom- 
plicated by splinters, if the soft tissues are not lacerated and if the 
skin is not punctured. Cure is most probable in simple fractures 
