Diseases of the Alimentary Tract 71 



considerable quantity. Enough should be used to make 

 the mash decidedly black. This is a very important meas- 

 ure for the treatment of indigestion. Give the birds plenty 

 of exercise. A small amount of a good stock tonic may 

 help to bring the birds back into proper vigor. The follow- 

 ing formula has frequently been used with good success. 



Pulverized Gentian 1 lb. 



Pulverized Ginger | lb. 



Pulverized Saltpeter ^ lb. 



Pulverized Iron Sulphate ^ lb. 



These substances can be procured from any drug store and 

 mixed by the poultryman. Use 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of the 

 tonic to 10 quarts of dry mash. 



Recovery from indigestion may also be hastened by the 

 following treatment. For the first week after the trouble 

 has been discovered add one teaspoonful of Epsom salts 

 to each quart of drinking water. Follow this for two weeks 

 with I grain of strychnine to each quart of drinking water. 



Coccidiosis 



This disease is produced by small protozoan parasites 

 which attack various regions of the intestinal tract. There 

 are a large number of different species of "coccidia" which 

 frequently attack birds and the smaller mammals, such as 

 rabbits, rats, and mice. They are very destructive to young 

 birds and are said by some investigators to be the cause of 

 one form of white diarrhea in young chickens (see Chapter 



xvni). 



Many different species of birds are attacked by coccidiosis. 

 Pigeons are particularly liable to the disease, and are fre- 

 quently responsible for the outbreaks in the poultry yards. 

 The transmission of the contagion from diseased to healthy 



