Fig. 3.—DESOLATION
Too often isolation is in effect a death sentence. The bird is put into cramped quarters, exposed to cold winds and beating rains, and, being in an out-of-the-way corner, is, perhaps, neglected instead of being specially cared for.
Fowls that will not take food should be fed lightly, but frequently, with a spoon in order that their strength may be kept up. All stale food should be removed.
5. The Use of Drugs and Medicines
Drugs and medicines likely to be required should always be kept in stock. The weekly use of Epsom salts, as a mild laxative for preventing intestinal disorders, is strongly recommended. Little faith should be put in drugs said to cure tuberculosis, cholera, etc. Below is given a list of the medicines generally required. The doses given in the table are for a medium-sized adult fowl; three-quarters as much should be given for a half-grown bird, and about one-fifth for a young chicken. Treatment should be repeated as necessary, and animals should be well nursed.
Fig. 4.—POULTRYMAN’S MEDICINE SHELVES
| Medicine | Dose or Strength | Disease |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulants— | ||
| Brandy | 3-10 drops in warm milk | |
| Aperients— | ||
| Calomel | 1 grain | Diarrhea; liver disease. |
| Castor oil | 1 teaspoonful | Diarrhea. |
| Epsom salts | 20 grains to 50 grains in food or warm water | Constipation; diarrhea; liver disease. |
| Astringents— | ||
| Chlorodyne | 6-12 drops | Diarrhea; dysentery. |
| Laudanum (relieves pain) | 4-6 drops | Diarrhea; dysentery. |
| Tonic and Febrifuge— | ||
| Quinine | 1 grain | Colds; fever; roup. |
| Aconite | 1 drop | Colds; fever; roup. |
| For Worms— | ||
| Turpentine | 5 to 10 drops in 1 teaspoonful castor oil | Worms (intestinal). |
| Santonin | 3 to 5 grains | Worms (intestinal). |
| Antiseptic Washes— | ||
| (a) Carbolic acid | 1-5% sol. | |
| (b) Hydrogen peroxide | 50% | } Colds; roup; diphtheria; cuts and injuries. |
| (c) Creolin | 2-5% sol. | |
| (d) Permanganate of potash | 1/2-2% sol. | |
| Dressing Flesh Wounds— | ||
| 1/2 creolin and 1/2 sweet oil | Cuts and injuries. | |
| To Reduce Swellings— | ||
| Iodine | Tincture | Cramp; Rheumatism. |
| Embrocation: | ||
| Turpentine | 10 drops | Cramp; Rheumatism. |
| Sweet oil | 1 ounce | |
| Insecticides— | ||
| Lice powders | Lice, mites. | |
| Kerosene | Scaly legs. | |
| Sulphur ointment: | Lice, scaly legs, mites, ticks. | |
| Sulphur | 1 part | |
| Kerosene | 1 part | |
| Lard | 2 parts |
Note.—By accepting that 1¼ teaspoonfuls made up to a pint with water gives approximately a 1% solution, any of the weak dilutions required by poultrymen can be easily prepared.