SOME COMMON POULTRY MEDICINES 505 



the foot caused by injury, usually by jumping or flying from a 

 great height. The treatment is to open the sore spot with a sharp 

 knife, going to the bottom ; extract the entire core. Then proceed 

 as when treating wounds, except that it is unnecessary to sew up 

 so small a cut. 



Frozen Combs. In the northern part of the United States and 

 Canada, especially during exceptionally cold weather, and if not 

 properly housed or protected, it is a common occurrence for indi- 

 vidual fowls, and sometimes whole flocks, to have their combs 

 and wattles frozen. When this misfortune happens, there is an 

 immediate falling off in egg production. If the affected birds are 

 not treated at once, this falling off will be very marked and pro- 

 longed, and, if badly frosted, the frozen parts will be lost. 



Treatment consists in immersing the frozen parts in cold water 

 for ten minutes, after which they should be manipulated with 

 vaseline once a day, until the comb assumes its normal color and 

 texture. Severe freezing spoils a bird for breeding purposes, there- 

 fore it must be guarded against. 



Some Common Poultry Medicines. The following kinds of 

 drugs and remedies will often be found useful on poultry plants 

 where sick birds of considerable value are treated, or on any plant 

 for the treatment of a flock. They should be kept in a small 

 cupboard where they are available at all times. The list is recom- 

 mended by the Maine Station.* 



Calomel (Subchloride of Mercury). A very useful alterative 

 medicine for fowls of all ages. One-grain pills are usually used. 

 One-fourth grain is a good laxative. It has a very good effect on 

 the liver. It should be followed in two hours by a dose of castor oil. 



Cayenne is an excellent liver stimulant when given in not 

 too large quantities. In case of colds it is very useful, and is often 

 used as one of the ingredients in stimulants so often fed to increase 

 or stimulate winter egg production. 



Catechu is often used to treat severe cases of diarrhoaa. The 

 average dose of powdered catechu is from 2 to 5 grains and of the 

 tincture from 2 to 5 drops. 



Castor Oil. One of the best and most common remedies for 

 diarrhoea. This affliction is often caused by some sour or fetid 

 mass in the intestine; a dose of castor oil will often remove this 

 and thus allay the diarrhoaa. It is also a valuable factor to aid 

 in reducing an impacted crop. A teaspoonf ul of castor oil is poured 



*" Poultry Diseases and Their Treatment," by Pearl and Surface. 



