CHAPTER IV 



Poultry Materia Medica 



It is the purpose of this chapter to give an account of the 

 drugs and remedies which the poultryman will find it well to 

 be supplied with ; directions for making various solutions ; 

 tables of weights and measures and the like. 



THE MEDICINE CHEST 



The following drugs and medicines will be found useful 

 to have at hand. 



Calomel (Sub-chloride of mercury). — This drug is chiefly 

 useful for its effect on the liver. The dosage is anything up 

 to 1 grain at a time. A dose of calomel should be followed 

 in the course of two hours or so with a dose of castor oil. 



Cayenne Pepyer. — This is an excellent digestive and liver 

 stimulant when given in the food in small quantities. It 

 Is also useful in cases of colds. In this case the pepper 

 should be put in small gelatine capsules (size No. 4) which 

 may be obtained from any druggist and a filled capsule 

 then pushed far enough dow^n the esophagus with the finger 

 so that the bird will swallow it. 



Catechu. — Bradshaw ^ says that this "in powder or tinc- 

 ture form in combination w^ith powdered chalk is a good 

 remedy for diarrhea. The average dose of powdered 

 catechu is from 2 to 5 grains and of the tincture 2 to 5 drops." 



1 Bradshaw, O., "Poultry Farming." Department of Agricul- 

 ture, N. S. Wales, Farmers' Bui. No. 51, p. 28, 1911. 

 52 



