APPENDIX 1. 43 



APPENDIX 1 



CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS 



PENTOBARBITONE SODIUM SOLUTION. Used in the strength as 

 commercially supplied. This is very potent and a few millilitres will kill a 

 large bird rapidly and painlessly. 



DUSTING POWDER. This is a mixture of potato flour and magnesium 

 carbonate in equal quantities of each by volume. If it is not possible to 

 obtain both, either may be used alone. "Instant" potato powder sold 

 commercially for food is satisfactory. If these are not available powdered 

 cornmeal may be used, or even fine sawdust or dry sand, although the latter 

 two are not as effective in absorbing fat or moisture. 



POWDERED ALUM. This absorbs moisture rapidly and is useful for 

 drying out small pieces of flesh and tissue which are not easy to remove. It 

 should be used sparingly and when possible scraped away after use. It 

 must not be used on the insides of skins as a preserving agent since it will 

 cause them to fall apart at a later date. Because of its tendency to absorb 

 water it should be kept in an airtight container. 



PRESERVATIVES FOR USE ON SKINS 



1. Arsenical soap. This is extremely poisonous, but although it 

 difficult to obtain than other preparations because of the arsenic content, 

 has the advantage of keeping the skin a little supple and preventing attacks 

 by insects. It can be made as follows: 

 Ingredients 



White bar soap 2 lbs. 



Powdered white arsenic (arsenious oxide) 2 lbs. 

 Camphor 5 oz. 

 Potassium bicarbonate 6 oz. 

 Alcohol 8 oz. 

 Soap should be of the best quality laundry soap and of such composition 

 that it can be reduced with water to any degree of thinness. Soap which 

 becomes like jelly when melted will not answer the purpose and should not 

 be used. 



Dissolve the camphor in alcohol. Slice the soap and melt in a small 

 quantity of water over a slow fire stirring sufficiently to prevent burning. 

 When the soap is melted add the potassium carbonate and stir in the pow- 

 dered arsenic. Next add the camphor and alcohol. Stir the mass thoroughly 

 and boil it down to the consistency of thick molasses and then pour into 

 containers and allow to set. To use it mix a small quantity with water until 

 it forms a thin creamy paste and apply with a brush. 



2. Borax. This is used as a fine powder applied to the inside of the 

 skin. It is effective in helping to preserve the skin by aiding the drying 

 process but is less effective at preventing insect attack. If used it should be 

 applied liberally. 



ALCOHOL. This is available in various forms. Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol), 

 when diluted with water to a concentration of about 70% by volume can be 

 used as a preservative, but in many countries is very expensive; and Ethanol 



