334 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
inability to rest them when diseased, there is little hope of successful treatment 
in advanced cases. In early cases we have removed the corn-like tumours, and 
cauterized the part with nitrate of silver with success ; hut the adoption of lov/ 
broad perches, which prevent the bird coming with violence to the ground 
on its descent, is the best remedy, inasmuch as prevention is in all cases better 
than cure. 
DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 
BALDNESS AND WHITE COMB. 
SymjJtoms . — White comb is a hard and scurfy condition of that organ, to 
which the fowls kept in the confined stable-yards of large towns, and other 
unhealthy localities, or fed on bad food, are liable ; in advanced cases the feathers 
fall off, leaving the head perfectly bare. 
Causes . — Unnatural food, the want of fresh vegetables, and overcrowding in 
dark habitations, are the causes of these complaints. 
Treatment . — A return to natural diet is indispensable to success ; and if to 
this important requisite is added the administration of a five-grain Plummer’s 
pill every other night -for a week, immediate benefit will result. At the same 
time, it must be borne in mind, that the plumage will often not reappear until 
next moulting time. 
LICE. 
The symptoms and causes of these pests require no particular consideration. 
After trying many substances, we are convinced that the employment of flowers 
of brimstone, thoroughly dusted into the roots of the feathers, and spread 
over the entire skin, is, if used twice or thrice, at intervals of a few days, a 
certain remedy. 
FRACTURES OF THE BONES. 
Fractures of the bones of the body are less likely to occur in birds than in other 
animals, inasmuch as the framework is more completely united together, and is 
protected from injury by the feathers. 
In cases where fracture of the ribs or other bones may be suspected, there would 
be great difficulty in determining the nature of the injury, and I do not think 
anything more could be done than keeping the bird quiet until recovery. 
In cases of broken wings, the quill feathers would prevent any recourse being 
had to the ordinary method of bandaging. The plan I have pursued is, to tie, 
carefully, the ends of some of the quills together in their natural position, with the 
wing closed ; this prevents motion of the broken ends of the bones ; and by keeping 
the bird in an empty place, where there are no perches for it to attempt to fly upon, 
every chance of recovery is afforded. 
Fracture of the fleshy part of the leg would be less manageable, and I can hardly 
recommend any bandaging that would be readily applied. The most common 
