THE POULTRY BOOK. 
335 
fracture in fowls is^tliat of the tarsus, or scaly part of the leg. This is usually 
treated by wrapping a slip of rag round the injured limb, and tying it with thread 
— a very imperfect plan, as motion of the broken hones is not prevented, and 
which is therefore frequently unsuccessful in its results. I always employ a modifi- 
cation of what is known to surgeons as a gum splint. The white of an egg is well 
beaten up with a fork, and spread upon a strip of thick, soft brown paper, as wide 
as can he smoothly wrapped around the broken limb. The fowl is held by an 
assistant, the leg slightly stretched, so as to bring the ends of the bones in a 
straight line, the moistened paper wrapped smoothly round several times, and 
secured by two or three turns of thread ; and, lastly, to prevent the parts being 
moved before the paper has become dry and stiff, a thin splint of wood, such as is 
used for lighting pipes, bound with thread on each side : the wood may he removed 
the following day, as it then adds to the w^eight. The stiff paper forms a bandage 
which prevents all motion, and so places the limb in the best possible condition 
for union to take place. 
