Poultry Eesearch. 



[May, 



from which it might be surmised that drugs would also affect 

 birds in varying degree. Gallagher's experiments, though few 

 in number, are sufficient to show that poultry have a distinct 

 tolerance towards some drugs, while they are sensitive to others. 

 Though it would be unwise to draw definite conclusions from 

 experiments that are admittedly only preliminary, it is at least 

 permissible to say that they demonstrate the need of investiga- 

 tions on the safety-point of solutions used as drinking-water. 



It is unnecessary to detail all the directions in which 

 profitable research might be undertaken, but passing reference 

 may be made to the necessity for systematic inquiry into food 

 values. In mammalian physiology, an enormous amount of work 

 has been done, and is being done, to discover the most econo- 

 mical and most productive foods, and certain laws of nutrition 

 have been formulated. But in avian physiology the subject has 

 not received nearly the amount of attention it deserves. Dis- 

 coveries in mammalian dietetics cannot always be applied to 

 birds, because of differences in metabolism and outstanding 

 differences in the physiology of reproduction. That the kind of 

 food — apart from its quantity and admixture — has a marked 

 influence upon the egg may be taken for granted, for it is well 

 known that the colour of the yolk can be altered by the adminis- 

 tration of certain foodstuffs. If, then, the colour can be affected, 

 why not other properties? And why should not the white of the 

 egg be affected as well as the yolk? Doubtless something of 

 value could also be discovered from more extensive research on 

 the question of insect proteins as a component of the diet of 

 poultry. It has even been suggested that insect protein may 

 have an influence on susceptibility to disease. But the whole 

 subject of dietetics is very closely associated with liability to, and 

 even production of, disease. 



If, then, it is held incontrovertible that poultry research is 

 necessary and would lead to results of economic importance, it 

 may be asked : Under what conditions should it be prosecuted? 

 It is possible that some would suggest a large central institution 

 wherein all forms of research might be conducted by a specially 

 trained staff, who would disseminate reliable information to those 

 engaged in the poultry industry. There is much to be said for 

 what mav be called a clearing-house of knowledge, from which 

 the poultry -keeper could obtain the information he desires, if 

 available. But it is not so certain that centralisation of research 

 would be altogether a good thing. There is a strong possibility 

 that the workers, being isolated and not in contact with wider 



