270 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



In very severe cases, treated late, as much as 20 grains of catechu per gallon 

 of water have been administered ; but as a rule this strength is too great, and 

 the birds become constipated. 



In my earliest experiments, ten fowl-chicks, aged fourteen days, infected 

 with Coccidiosis, were all cured, while twelve pullets suffering from a mixed 

 infection of Coccidiosis and worms were also satisfactorily treated. From 

 experience gained with these cases I was able to help breeders with whom I 

 was acquainted. Some of the results are as follows : 



At a large farm in Cambridgeshire, where some three hundred head of 

 poultry are kept, an outbreak of Coccidiosis occurred. Catechu was given to 

 all the birds in their drinking water, and after its administration no further 

 deaths occurred^ and the majority of the birds were perfectly well in ten days ; 

 nor was there a return of Coccidiosis. After treatment the birds were all 

 removed to a fresh run. 



At a Sussex general poultry farm where fowls, geese, ducks, turkeys, and 

 pigeons are raised, and about two thousand head of birds are always present, 

 catechu has been used now for some time in treating sudden outbreaks of 

 Coccidiosis usually after the introduction of new stock for breeding purposes. 

 At the same farm a few pheasants are reared in captivity, and on one occasion 

 a brood of six young pheasants (four weeks old) were in a very bad state owing 

 to Coccidiosis; but all recovered after the administration of 10 grains of catechu 

 per gallon of water for ten days. 



Recently in an epizootic among fowls at Cambridge, in which some seventy 

 fowls were given catechu at my suggestion, all recovered. But a curious reflex 

 occurred, for an outbreak of Coccidiosis occurred among a number of pigeons 

 that used to come to the poultry run for grain. As the pigeons in question 

 were of some value, they, too, were confined in an aviary and treated with a 

 10 grains per gallon solution of catechu. Twenty recovered out of twenty-one 

 treated, one bird being accidently killed. 



The latest case of Coccidiosis that I have encountered is that of two canaries 

 belonging to a friend of mine. Five birds out of an aviary of seven had already 

 died, and the others were very sickly when they were first brought to my notice. 

 Catechu in a dose of 5 grains per gallon was given them. After a week the 

 two treated birds showed no oocysts in their faeces, and had recovered their song. 



Some ailing Grouse, of varying ages, reared in captivity at Frimley, were 

 given catechu in their drinking water. All showed marked improvement in a 



